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Mt. Pleasant Branch 




P.L. 123 



P O 9—1465 



SOCIAL GAMES 
GROUP DANCES 

A COLLECTION OF GAMES AND 
DANCES SUITABLE FOR COM- 
MUNITY AND SOCIAL USE 

C:ELS0M, M.D. 

ASSISTANT PROFESSOR OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION 
THE UNIVERSITY OF WISCONSIN 

AND, , 

BLANCHE i\f TRILLING 

PROFESSOR OF PHYSICAL EDUCATION, THE UNIVERSITY 

OF WISCONSIN, CHAIRMAN OF THE COMMITTEE ON 

women's ATHLETICS, AMERICAN PHYSICAL 

EDUCATION ASSOCIATION 

WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY 

PROFESSOF M. V. O'SHEA 

ILLUSTRATED 




PHILADELPHIA AND LONDON 
J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY 



MOUNT PLEASANT 3RAMGH 

QV 

HZ.-- 



COPYRIGHT, I919. BY J. B. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY 



PRINTED BY J, E. LIPPINCOTT COMPANY 

AT THE WASHINGTON SQUARE PRESS 

PHILADELPHIA, U. S. A. 



TKANSFBB 
m. O, PUBLIC LIBBABY- 

SEPT. 10, 1 '40 



4 50015 

fclSTEICT OP COLUMBIA VHOT'Bti'rV 

For a number of years the authors of this vol- 
ume have been testing the practical value of social 
games and group dances for children of all ages and 
also for adults. They have had gratifying success 
in devising games and dances which make a strong 
appeal to young and old alike. The writer of this 
Introduction has often observed Professor Elsom 
and Professor Trilling take groups of children or 
grown persons who were diffident, restrained and ill- 
at-ease in each other's presence and quickly make 
them forget their embarrassment so that they par- 

c<i ticipated readily and gladly in what was going on. 

^ These players or dancers of whatever age always 
had a good time. They *' let go of themselves," to use 
a phrase which they have often been heard to use in 
describing their experiences in these games and 
dances. Their tensions were quickly released and 
their social impulses and desires were indulged. So 
they were benefited physically as well as socially; 

y^ they were really humanized during these play-hours 
•«* because they learned how to enjoy one another and 
^ to appreciate the versatility and companionability 
of each other. The chief reason why a person so 
often does not see anything to a<imire or enjoy in 
others is because they are stiff, awkward, inhibited 
when they are together. They do not reveal any 

3 



iD 



4 INTRODUCTION 

human traits to one another ; and so why should they 
Hke each other or wish tO' be together? 

The writer has observed the change in social 
relations and ajttitudes which has taken place in 
groups of mature persons who' have, during a few 
weeks each summer for several years, participated 
in the games and dances described in this volume. 
They have been transformed socially, and they have 
greatly enjoyed the experiences which were respon- 
sible for their transformation. They have been 
made more spontaneous and unconstrained in their 
intercourse with their fellows, and less self-conscious 
and self-<:ritical. They really have been put in the 
way of getting more out of life than they had been 
in the habit of getting. 

The games and dances described herein are suit- 
able for almost any occasion or any social group of 
either youthful or mature persons in the city or in 
the country, in the home or in the school, in the 
social center or in the ballroom. The teacher, the 
parent or the social leader who is familiar with 
these games and dances will always have at hand 
the means of making the members of a group feel 
at home with each other, and keeping them occupied 
in entertaining auid wholesome ways. Anyone who 
is responsible for the icare and culture of young 
children will find these games and dances an ever- 
present help in. time of need. Mischief and mis- 
conduct are due mainly to lack of proper amusement 



INTRODUCTION 5 

and interesting occupation, and the teadher or parent 
wiho cannot suggest legitimate group activities for 
the leisure hours of the young, misses the chief 
opportunity to be of service in averting disorder of 
one kind or another and in developing resource- 
fulness and competency in social situations. 

Particular mention should be made of the use- 
fulness of these games and group, dances by way 
of substitution for ballroom dancing. Complaint 
comes from every quarter that young people are too 
much in the ballroom. Boys and girls often get on 
poorly together outside the ballroom because they 
do not know anything interesting to do' that will 
eliminate their stiffness and embarrassment. These 
social games and group dances will accomplisth this 
purpose. They are much better suited to the nature 
and needs of youth than present-day ballroom dances, 
for they are full of action and humorous and dra- 
matic situations, not overemphasizing the sex factor. 

The games and dances are so clearly and con- 
cretely described and so fully illustrated that they 
can be easily understood by any teacher or parent 
or social leader or even by a group of players or 
dancers themselves. The authors have tested them 
with so many groups under such a variety of con- 
ditions that they have learned how to present them 
so that they can be followed without difficulty or 
confusion. 

M. V. O'Shea. 



ACKNOWLEDGMENT 

At the beginning of this book, I wish to express 
my indebtedness to Professor Clark W. Hethering- 
ton and to Mr. William B. Owen, whose interest, 
encouragement and suggestions had much to do with 
the success of my Social Hour experiment in the 
Chicago Normal School and later in the University 
of Wisconsin, for this book is itself an outgrowth 
of the Social Hour. 

The preparation of the book would have been 
well nigh impossible without the assistance of Pro- 
fessor C. H. Mills, Director of the School of Music 
of the University of Wisconsin, who arranged the 
music for many of the dances. Miss Mabel Dooley 
of the University of Wisconsin has been an invalu- 
able helper in the preparation of the manuscript. 
Many of the practical problems in connection with 
the dances and the music were worked out in coopera- 
tion with Mrs. Mary Ayer Trumpf , and Mrs. W. F. 
Steve made the child pictures possible. 

. Blanche M. Trilling. 
University of Wisconsin 

December, 1918. 



CONTENTS 



PART I 

CHAPTER PAGE 

I. Social Mixers and Acquaintance Games 15 

II. Active Games of Tag 48 

III. Parlor and House-party Games 66 

IV. Games with Pencil and Paper 1x2 

V. " Stunts " 122 

PART II 

Group Dances 133 

Portland Fancy. French Reel. Circle Dance. 
Vineyard Dance. Pop Goes the Weasel. Ring 
Dance. How Do You Do? We Won't Go Home 
Till Morning. Virginia Reel. Country Dance. 
Cschbogar. Swedish Clap Dance. Bean Porridge. 
Barn Dance for Three. Dancing on the Green. 
Circle Bam Dance. 

PART III 

Singing Games and Dances Especially Adapted 

to Children 215 

Swinging in the Swing. Jolly is the Miller. Did 
you Ever See a Lassie. Dance of Greeting. Greet- 
ing and Meeting. The Circus. Carrousel. Captain 
Jinks. Our Little Girls. The First of May. 
Hickory Dickory Dock. Ribbon Dance. 





PART I 

SOCIAL GAMES 

By 
J. C. ELSOM, M.D. 



INTRODUCTION TO PART I 

The social value of the game, the play and the 
folk-dance is unquestioned; and, with this truth in 
view, the authors of this volume have endeavored to 
furnish some suggestions which shall serve as a 
working basis for the practice of these healthful 
activities. It has been our purpose especially to 
emphasize those games and dances which have 
seemed to us to contribute best to the social educa- 
tion of young people, and which furnish for them 
the most healthful forms of physical activity. In 
many instances there have been described plays and 
dances which may be given to large numbers at once ; 
and the authors have kept constantly in mind the 
furthering of social acquaintanceship among large 
groups of yomig people who have come together per- 
haps not only unacquainted, but unfamiliar with 
methods of promoting acquaintanceship. These 
methods have been tested successfully over and over 
again in groups of students and in miscellaneous 
gatherings of young people, and are especially suited 
for social "mixers," house-parties, picnics, for 
social settlements and the like. 

No attempt has been made to give a large col- 
lection of games essentially suited to the g3minasium ; 
or of group- or team-games, because there is abun- 

13 



14 INTRODUCTION TO PART I 

dant literature already existing descriptive of these 
activities. Neither have the games and dances been 
selected with special reference to young children, 
although many of them are suitable in this connec- 
tion. Many of the methods described in this 
volume have been productive of admirable results 
in groups composed of people of var)ang ages, many 
of the interested participants being persons of mid- 
dle life. In fact, we have come to believe that for 
all people — ^young and old — ^social activities are 
desirable, and that wholesome recreations contribute 
in large measure to the joy of living. In our busy 
American life, we are apt to overlook or neglect these 
activities ; and, from such neglect, we are convinced 
that our people are distinctly losing much that would 
add to their welfare, physical, mental and social. 
We believe that to " live happily ever afterward," we 
need to have developed in our youth an essentially 
social instinct, and that the development of this 
instinct will be a distinct asset to us all, whatever 
our age or calling or station in life may be. 

J. C. Elsom. 
The University of Wisconsin. 



SOCIAL GAMES AND 
GROUP DANCES 

PART I 

CHAPTER I 

SOCIAL MIXERS AND ACQUAINTANCE GAMES 

Social Values. — ^We are brought increasingly in 
these days to recognize the value of a cultivation of 
the social instinct. With few exceptions, this desire 
for intermingling with our fellows is strong in us all, 
and the social education is of utmost importance. 
If we are to be successful in any line of life's endeav- 
ors, we must constantly be thrown with our fellow- 
men, and must learn to be easy and natural in the 
presence of others. It is no mean accomplishment to 
be able to converse with ease, to convey our thoughts 
and feelings to others, and tactfully to meet our 
fellows in social intercourse. It is unfortunate that 
the veneer of artificiality so often exists in modern 
society and in our every-day dealings with our asso- 
ciates. We are not quite ourselves with our ** com- 
pany manners," and our dress clothes; we too often 
seem to desire to appear what we are not. 

We are Ourselves in Play — But in our play and 
In our games our most intimate characteristics and 

15 



16 SOCIAL GAMES 

points of individuality show themselves. In plays 
which are natural, unrestricted and enjoyable we 
throw off all artificialities and abandon our pretense. 
A spirit of comradeship immediately takes posses- 
sion of us in our games, and some of the most val- 
uable social characteristics are developed. Groups 
of young people, thrown together for the first time, 
are apt to be stiff and tmnatural, strained in their 
feelings and formal in their outward expressions. 
Bas^hf ulness and uneasiness are often felt and shown ; 
but when a game is proposed and played with enthu- 
siasm all is changed. Natural and unrestrained 
conduct now takes the place of formality and arti- 
ficiality, and everybody has a " good time." Self- 
forgetfulness has been developed. 

Purpose of Chapter. — It is proposed in this chap- 
ter to deal specifically with certain activities which 
have to do with promoting acquaintanceship and 
breaking down formality in rather large gatherings 
of young people, who have come together for social 
purposes. Among such occasions might be men- 
tioned large house-parties, socials among high- 
school, college or university students; social gath- 
erings of young people in church, lodge or social 
settlement, and in similar groups of whatever kind — 
in the home, the hall, or at the picnic. 

Leadership. — The successful engineering of 
social " mixers " of this kind depends largely upon a 
committee who must consider and prepare a rather 



SOCIAL MIXERS AND GAMES 17 

definite program, and upon a leader who must spe- 
cifically direct the activities of the group. Much 
depends upon the qualifications and tact of the leader. 
He should himself possess the social instincts and be 
of easy address, and temperamentally free from 
formality. A spirit of comradeship and friendship 
is essential. He should tactfully lead in the activ- 
ities, and not drive them. An overbearing and tact- 
less leader in functions of this kind is worse than 
none at all. 

Dividing the Company into Groups. — Presup- 
posing that the " mixer " is to be held in a large hall 
or church parlor, it is well that each person, as he 
enters, be requested to write his name upon a small 
slip of paper or card, and this card should be worn 
so as to be easily seen. If it is desired to form small 
preliminary groups, some of the following methods 
may be used : 

Birth Months. — In addition to the name, each 
writes on the card his birth month. When all have 
arrived and so " tagged " themselves, the leader 
should announce that around the hall have been 
arranged twelve large signs, bearing the names of 
the months of the year, and under these signs the 
people must group themselves according tO' the 
months in which they were born. It is announced 
that, without formal introduction, each is given the 
opportunity to become acquainted with the others. 
If one can explain why his particular month is more 
2 



18 SOCIAL GAMES 

desirable tihaii all the others, or why it is historically 
noted, so much the better. At least, a topic of con- 
versation immediately presents itself, and that 
counts for something. After a sufficient period of 
time is given for this form of social activity, the 
leader should direct the groups to exchange visits. 
For instance, December might be urged to visit May, 
November to exchange greetings v^ith June, and 
blustery March to greet the greater calmness of 
August. By such interchange, the individuals in the 
group will have had opportunity for meeting each 
other. 

Colors, etc. — A similar method is to tag each 
one as he enters with a bit of colored crepe paper. 
Around the room should be arranged large sheets 
of the various papers, under which the people group 
themselves. A similar interchange of visits between 
the different colors should be suggested. 

States, Cities, Counties, etc — In the case of 
students who come from different states or counties, 
and who have not had occasion to meet each other, 
cards bearing the names of the different states may 
mark the location of the gathering places. A more 
inclusive method is to inscribe the cards with sec- 
tions of the country, as New England, The South, 
The Rocky Mountain District, The Pacific Coast, 
&c. When many come from the same state, the 
division into counties is suggested, or even of streets 
or wards, in case many live in the same large city. 



SOCIAL MIXERS AND GAMES 19 

In all cases, however, there should be the opportu- 
nity to intermingle with other groups. 

Acquaintance Cards and Signatures. — In com- 
bination with these plans, or as a separate method, 
the '*' acquaintance card " is a very efficient means 
of mutual introduction. To each person is handed, 
as he enters the room, a card of rather generous 
size, and the direction is given that he shall secure 
the signature of each person with whom he con- 
verses for one minute or longer. This scheme imme- 
diately sets all to work, and accomplishes its purpose 
very admirably. To introduce a little element of 
variety, and perhaps of fun, the cards may be 
printed in this fashion: 



NAME 


COLOR OF HAIR 


COLOR OF EYES 


PROBABLE AGE 


1 
DISPOSITION 













The signature is secured from the person with 
whom converse is held, but the description mentioned 
is jotted down by the person holding the card, who 
need not confine himself strictly to the truth. The 
description of the probable disposition of the new 
acquaintance must be made by the use; of one adjec- 
tive. The cards, with their miscellaneous data, may 



20 SOCIAL GAMES 

be retained as souvenirs of a very pleasant occasion. 

Prizes. — ^In connection with this method, prizes 
may be awarded to those who secure the largest 
number of names. This adds zest to the quest for 
wider acquaintanceship. The prizes need not be 
elaborate; often it is better to present some trifling 
or ludicrous prize, which should be carefully 
wrapped, with the requirement that it be publicly 
opened at the proper time, and perhaps oratorically 
acknowledged by tihe winner. First and second 
prizes should be 'given to the men and' to the women 
w*ho secure the largest number of names, and a 
" booby " prize might be similarly awarded. The 
le^ader may quickly pick the winners by requesting 
those w'ho have a certain number of names (say 
twenty) to indicate that fact; then thirty, or forty, 
and so on, until finally the winner is found. 

The " Mysterious Couple." — It is often the very 
simplest expedient that brings results. If there is 
given some topic of conversation, even if it be the 
weather, people immediately begin to talk and to 
become acquainted with each other. A common 
interest or a common topic of conversation is all that 
is needed to foster acquaintanceship ; and " one thing 
leads to another." The " Mysterious Couple " is one 
of these simple methods. The leader announces to 
the crowd that there is in the room a mysterious 
couple, who must be found by diligent inquiry. Any 
couple may be the " mysterious " ones — either a boy 



SOCIAL MIXERS AND GAMES 21 

and girl, or two boys, or two girls. They are pre- 
viously selected, and so informed; the trick is to 
find them. In order to do so, one must question 
every couple whom he sees together. The formula 
may be, '' Tell me, please, are you the mysterious 
couple ? " As the mysterious couple may not always 
be standing together, the finding process is not so 
easy; but the search must be made, the questions 
must be asked, and "mixing" must be done. 
Finally, when the couple is discovered, they must 
quietly acknowledge it, take the name of the dis- 
coverer, which is afterward announced, and perhaps 
a prize is awarded to the lucky one. Second and 
third prizes might be awarded. The couple, after 
having been " discovered " for the first time, imme- 
diately separate, and afterward court a second 
discovery. 

The "Millionaire Friends." — K similar "mix- 
ing" sdheme has been tried with success by the 
author, which he has named the " Millionaire 
Friends." A couple, or couples, with the prize in 
their possession, are ready to deliver it to the first 
w'ho discovers their identity and their generosity. 
The committee provides a twenty-five-cent piece as 
a prize. Any other amount or any prize might be 
used The money prize is given to the couple who 
pose as the " millionaire friends," and of course 
these friends are eagerly sought, and discovered 
only after much questioning. The question to which 



22 SOCIAL GAMES 

they respond must be after the formula : " I ani in 
need of money and friends. Will you two people 
lend me a quarter ? " If the millionaire friends hap- 
pen to be together, they reply : " On signing your 
name, the money will soon be delivered to you." 
The name is taken^ and later on the prize is publicly 
awarded. In order that the search may not ter- 
minate too soon, the couple must separate at first, 
afterward coming together. They may only award 
the prize when they happen to be together. In large 
crowds it would be well to have three or four cou- 
ples, each willing to " lend " the money, if properly 
asked to do so. If three couples are selected — a boy 
and a girl, two boys, and two girls — ^the quest will 
be more interesting. 

The " Mixing March."— One of the best methods 
of quickly and surely " mixing " young people is tih-e 
" Mixing March." It has always been, in the 
author's hands, productive of splendid results, and 
provokes much amusement. Two large circles are 
formed around the room, the boys making up the 
outside circle and the girls the inside. The leader 
stands in the center of the circles, and all face toward 
him. He commands, " Outside circle, face to the 
right ; inside circle face to the left ! " At the com- 
man, " Forward, March ! " the boys thus march 
around in one direction, and the girls in the opposite 
direction, preferably to the music of the piano. 
When the piano stops playing, the circles must face 



SOCIAL MIXEBS AND GAMES 23 

each other, and each must talk without stopping, to 
the person he faces, for thirty seconds. When the 
music begins again, or other signal is given, the 
march must continue as before, When the music may 
suddenly stop. Then the conversation merrily 
begins. The pauses in the music should be frequent ; 
and it will be seen that each boy and girl secures 
a different conversational partner each time. It may 
be required that they shake hands, mention their 
names and deal with as great a variety of topics as 
may be disposed of in thirty seconds ; and even the 
dullest and most bashful person becomes less dull 
and more at ease under the stimulu<i of the Mixing 
March. 

Tableaux and Poses. — After a given time spent 
in the " March," pleasing and ludicrous variations 
may be introduced by the leader, who may direct a 
so-called gymnastic drill. The following are a few 
suggestions : 

The inner circle (the girls) faces toward the 
center. The leader may command somewhat as 
follows : " Right foot forward, place ! Forward, 
bend ! Left hand extended backward ! Right hand 
over fordiead ! " After these movements are given 
several times, the girls are at rest. These commands 
are then given to the boys, in the outer circle: " On 
the right knee, kneel! Arms upward, raise!" 
When the command " Tableau Position ! " is given, 
both lines assume the positions indicated in Fig. i, 



24 SOCIAL GAMES 

which rather ludicrously represents the rejection of 
a suitor. The total effect of the combined movements 
is striking and mirth-provoking. 

A second taibleatii may be directed similarly as 
follows: The inner circle faces toward the men. 
The command is: "Left foot forward, knee bent! 
Forward bend! Right arm upward, raise!" To 
the men the command is given : *' Left foot forward, 
place! On the right knee, kneel! Right hand back- 
ward (on the floor), place! Left arm, flexed, up- 
ward raise ! " The positions fare illustrated' in Fig. 
2, and re'present an Amazon in the act of striking 
down a Mere Man, who feebly attempts to protect 
himself. 

A third tableau is similarly ordered, the girls 
being required to face the boys, and to kneel on both 
knees. At a given command, the boys place both 
hands on the heads of the kneeling girls, and repeat 
in unison: " Bless you, my child, bless you! " (Fig. 
3). Similar tableaux may be given, as pointing and 
looking (Fig. 4), whispering and Hstening (Fig. 5), 
accusing (Fig. 6), expectancy (Fig. 7), contrition 
(Fig. 8). 

The Alphabetical Mixer. — An admirable mixing 
device is this one, which presents a combination of 
good points. When each person arrives, he is given 
a rather generous-sized card, which he must wear 
prominently displayed; on the card is written or 
printed something like this : 




FIG. 1. — KEJECTION 



FIG. 2. STRIKING 




FIG. 3. — "bless you, my CHILD" FIG. 4. — POINTING AND LOOKING 



SOCIAL MIXERS AND GAMES 



25 



o 

HELP ME 

SPELL A WORD 

I HAVE THE LETTER 



A 



My Name is 



For convenience and for small grouips perhaps 
only the large letter is necessary. The cards should 
bear different letters of the alphabet, with a gen- 
erous proportion of ihe vowels, and as many sets 
of the letters of the alphabet provided as is war- 
ranted by the expected size of the company. It will 
be necessary to provide only a few of the less-used 
letters, such as X, Z, Q, etc. 

The object of the mixer is to have members of 
the group select their word, find the persons wearing 



26 SOCIAL GAMES 

the necessary letters, and then keep together until 
the time comes for them to display their completed 
word. As the desirabl^^ letters are liable to be 
quickly appropriated by the various groups, there is 
need of some haste in finding the required ones, and 
attaching them to the special groups. When the 
words have been formed, each group displays its 
result by marching to the front of the room, or on a 
platform, where they stand in order. Then the 
word is spelled by having each member shout in 
order the name of his letter; then the whole group 
shouts the word in unison. 

Certain rules may be made for the management 
of this mixer. For instance, no word which contains 
less than ten letters shall be allowed the group which 
displays a word may be required to rearrange them- 
selves so as to spell a different word, using the same 
letters; or the word must begin and end with the 
same letter, and so on. 

The program may be continued by requiring the 
groups to disband, and to seek other companions, 
who will assist tibem in spelling names of states, 
rivers or mountains; or by spelling words which 
pertain to agriculture, chemistry, engineering, 
astronomy, etc. ; and so the mixer may be varied in 
a number of entertaining ways. 

The Concerted Sneeze. — A mirth^provoking 
experiment in any group of a, half -dozen up to a 
hundred or more is the " concerted sneeze." The 





^■-f^... ••^< vC- : ^- :-V..-^- "^'^ - '^ -■•m^^^^^W 


•vfl 




i 





FIG. 5. WHISPERING ANDLISTENING FIG. 6. ACCUSING 




FIG. 7. — EXPECTANCY 



FIG. 8. — "sir, you see a peni- 
tent BEFORE you" 



SOCIAL MIXERS AND GAMES 27 

leader divides the group approximately into three 
seictions, and directs that at his signal the first sec- 
tion shall sharply and quickly exclaim, ''Hish!" 
The second group likewise makesi use of the word, 
" Hash," and the third, " Hosh." He explains that 
he will raise his hands, and command : " One, tmo, 
three, sneeze! " Whem'his hands go down, the syl- 
lables are to 'be pronounced loudly and staccato, with 
a result that is surprisingly like a sneeze of generous 
and extensive proportions. It may be made even 
more realistic by having the first group exclaim, 
"Hishy," the second, " Hashy," and the third, 
" Hoshy." 

A Church Mixer. — ^An effective method of enter- 
taining and mixing a group of young people, used by 
a church society, is herewith given : 

A large room was arranged with chairs, placed 
in pairs, to represent seats on a railway train, with 
an aisle between the double seats. The young peo- 
ple were required to be seated in couples, the boys 
next to the aisles, and the girls next to the " win- 
dows." To give realism to the program, some were 
dressed as country travelers, with umbrellas, suit- 
cases, parcels, etc. The " Conductor," in uniform, 
punched the tickets and tore off the lower slip, 
marked " Exicursion Transportation." A newsboy 
with his papers and wares was at intervals much in 
evidence ; and the brakeman anrxounced the " sta- 
tions " with frequency. At every station the men 



SOCIAL GAMES 



A TRIP ACROSS THE CONTINENT 
EXCURSION TICKET 

coed «n date of Usne only fo> 

Tour Of The United States. 

; tranaportatian visita to places of intere^ meals, aada ttebet 
to the famous San Francisco Theatre, 

THE WISCONSIN 

Ticket must not be exchanged or transferred. 
DON'T CROWD SAFETY FIBafP 

Baptist C E. RaUroad Ox 






/(• Great I 

The Wisconsin 
ADMIT ONE 

BiaCoNCLUDiNQ Event 
Oct 2, 1914 9:J 



Good for 
ONE LUNCH 

Railway Eating House 

Not ijood ifdeiaehed. 



Good for 

a personally conducted 
WALKING TRIP IN THE ROCKIES 

Not good if detaclied. 



Good for 

TRIP TO YELLOWSTONE 

Not good if detached. 



STOP-OVER SIDE TRIP 
FOUR LAKES OF MADISON 

Not good if detached. 



Good for 

TOUR OF PITTSBURG 

TUNNEL NO. 3; 

Not good if detached 



ONE TRIP 
HORSESHOE FALLS. 

Not good if detached. 



Good for 

EXCURSION TRANSPORTATION 
via 

Baptist C.E. Railway 



NU Good If Detached 

Note: Numerous Guides Accompany Thia 1 
Information, Ask The Guides 



SOCIAL MIXERS AND GAMES 29 

were required to move forward one seat in the train ; 
thus there was a frequent change of traveling com- 
panions and opportunity was offered for acquaint- 
anceship and conversation. i\f(ter a journey of 
thirty or forty minutes, Niagara was annoimced, 
when all passengers had to leave the train to see the 
wonderful " Horse Shoe Falls." In the gallery of 
the audience room of the church a guide called 
attention to the scenery, dropping a horse shoe to the 
floor 'below! 

The " Tour of Pittsburgh " was down in the 
dark furnace-room of the church, with a glimpse 
into the glowing coals. In another room was 
arranged a stereopticon, and a lecturer exhibited 
a series of lantern slides representing local scenery 
and college happenings. 

A " Trip to the Yellowstone '' was quickly com- 
pleted, although in devious fashion, to see a large 
stone in the basement painted yellow; and the 
" Walking Trip in the Rockies " was Hkewise in the 
lower part of the building; many obstacles had to 
be crossed, narrow precipices passed, and a sudden 
climb to be made — altogether a cleverly arranged 
obstacle race. The lunch served was typical of 
railway eating-houses; and the conclusion of the 
program consisted of a musical and histrionic per- 
formance on an improvised stage in another part of 
the building. ^ 

Entertainments in great number of a similar 



so SOCIAL GAMES 

character might be arranged. The whole object of 
such programs should be to afford plenty of inno- 
cent fun and amusement, and to provide abund- 
ant opportunities for acquaintanceship, easily and 
naturally brought about. 

A Musical Mixer. — A pleasing variation of the 
mixing scheme is to give to each of the young 
people as they arrive a slip of paper bearing the 
name of some familiar song. Among these songs 
may be mentioned " Suwanee River," " Old Black 
Joe," " Annie Laurie," " America," " Drink to Me 
only with Thine Eyes," " MarcJhing Through 
Georgia," " Home, Sweet Home," " John Brown's 
Body," " Dixie," etc., etc. As early as possible, each 
one must mix with the crowed and find his co-partners 
in song, who shall group themselves in a particular 
part of the room, and when called upon by the 
leader they must present their musical selection. In 
this way ea^:h group exhibits its musical abilities, 
and prizes may 'be awarded to those who render their 
selection in the best form. Finally, the leader may 
direct certain groups to sing at once, and then all 
the groups to sing their separate songs at the same 
time ; and the resulting " confusion of tongues " may 
be imagined. Two groups, however, one singing 
*' Solomon Levi " and the other " The Spanish Cav- 
alier," may do so in musical concord. As a part of 
this scheme, in addition to the song specified, a 
musical instrument may be designated; and when 



SOCIAL MIXERS AND GAMES 31 

the singing is called for, the song must be given with 
imitations of the special musical instrument which 
has been assigned. 

Matching Poetry, Advertisements, Proverbs, etc. 

— An excuse for " mixing " is readily given by cer- 
tain matching schemes, which demand, of course, 
some preparation on the part of the committee or 
•the hostess. One of the easiest of these is to cut 
advertisements out of newspapers and magazines. 
These are cut or torn into two parts. One half of 
each advertisement is given to a boy, the other half 
to a girl. A sufficient number must be prepared 
to accommodate all those who are expected to be 
present. Each mem,ber must seek to find the person 
who has the other half of his advertisement. To the 
first one who has found his partner may be given a 
prize or other form of recognition; or they may be 
partners for seats at refreshment tables, or other- 
wise, according to the program of the evening. 

Other forms of matching may be used in similar 
manner. Familiar proverbs may be written on slips 
and divided into two parts, the halves to be given 
to different people who must seek each other. Verses 
of poetry ma}^ be used in like manner, the lines 
divided and distributed among the crowd. 

Bean Penalties. — Another effective and amusing 
way of furnishing an excuse for mixing is the fol- 
lowing : About a dozen beans or grains of com are 
given to each person in the party. At a suitable 



32 SOCIAL GAMES 

time the explanation of the " Bean Penalties " is 
made to the whole group. According to the rules, 
no one is allowed to say " yes " or " no " during the 
conversation and " mixing " that follows ; if he does 
so, he has to give up a bean to the person who has 
forced him to say " yes " or " no." The game con- 
sists in trying to catch as many persons as possible 
by making them use the forbidden words. Each 
one has to look out that he does not lose his own 
beans while tr^nng to win them from others. After 
fifteen or twenty minutes a prize may be given to the 
person who has gathered the largest harvest of 
beans, and a booby prize presented to the one who 
has lost all or most of his own. 

Solemn and Jolly. — This method of breaking 
down barriers of formality is effective. The com- 
pany is divided into two equal groups, preferably all 
boys in one, all girls in the other. If the size of the 
room permits, they should stand in lines facing each 
other. There must be a leader, who must also be 
timekeeper. At his signal each boy will begin to 
make the girl who stands opposite him smile. He 
may attempt some ludicrous action, or say some 
amusing thing, or adopt any legitimate means to 
excite a smile from his vis-h-vis. Only fifteen sec- 
onds is allowed for the trial. The girls, meantime, 
must keep sober, solemn faces; if any girl smiles, 
she must immediately come over to the side of the 
boys. The boys and girls take turns in this per- 



SOCIAL MIXERS AND GAMES S3 

formance, which is a pretty severe test of one's 
self-control. After a time-limit of four or five min- 
utes, that side wins which contains the largest num- 
ber of persons, and which has secured most captives. 

Self-Introductions. — This is a splendid game to 
familiarize a company with the names of the indi- 
viduals who compose the group. They should be 
seated around the room. One arises and says, " I 
am glad to meet you all ; my name is Smith.'' The 
one on his right then arises and says : " I am glad to 
know you, Mr. Smith; my name is Jones.'* The 
next says : " Glad to meet you, Mr. Smith and Mr. 
Jones; I am Miss Brown." The next in turn sa3rs: 
" I am so glad to meet Mr. Smith and Mr. Jones and 
Miss Brown; my name is Johnson." Thus each 
mentions the irame of each person in turn, and finally 
gives his own name. The task of remembering con- 
stantly becomes harder as the self -introductions pro- 
gress, and for a larger company than twenty or 
thirty it is somewhat difficult. 

Follow the Leader. — The game of " Follow the 
Leader " lends itself to almost limitless variation. 
It may be made simple or difficult, according to the 
character of the participants. Below are given some 
variations which have been used successfully in a 
group of three hundred summer-school students, 
most of them teachers, and all of them men and 
women of considerable maturity. It is necessary to 
have a leader, and very desirable to have a piano or 
s 



34 



SOCIAL GAMES 



music of some sort. The company is formed into 
line and instructed to follow accurately the move- 
ments and the course of the leader. These move- 
ments may be as follows : 

1. Walk, directing course around room, with 
turns, reverses and zig-zag movements. 

2. Walk backward ; sideways ; with a limp. 

3. Walk on heels, toeing in ; high on tip-toes. 

Fig. 9. 




4. Walk, arms extended forward; sideways; 
upward. 

5. At every third step, stoop as if picking up an 
object. 

6. Walk with a movement to imitate reaping, 
right and left. 

7. Clap hands twice with each step of foot. 

8. The " Indian look," right and left (Fig. 9). 



SOCIAL MIXERS AND GAMES 35 

9. Skip sideways. 

10. Sit down. Sing some familiar song; hum 
the same. 

Various devious courses may be pursued in the 
" following " game, and obstacles overcome. The 
game is well suited for almost any kind of group, 
indoors and out. 

Jerusalem and Jericho. — The old game of 
" Jerusalem and Jericho " lends itself admirably to 
large groups, and always provokes amusement. The 
leader stations himself preferably on an elevation, 
such as a chair, table or platform, and announces 
that when he speaks the word " Jerusalem " all 
must bow as low as possible; but when he pro- 
nounces the word *^ Jericho " no one may bow. The 
leader, however, bows when he speaks either word, 
and so seeks to confuse the players. The change of 
words should be made rather rapidly. When one 
makes a mistake, either by not bowing when he 
should, or bowing at the wrong time, that one must 
come to the platform and take the place of the leader, 
and direct the game until he, in turn, detects someone 
who has made a mistake. And so the game goes on. 
Other words may be used instead of " Jerusalem " 
and " Jericho." During the holiday season, " Merry 
Christmas " may be the words which shall cause all 
to bow, and " Kris Kringle " the other words. 
Words of somewhat similar sound and of local inter- 
est might well be used in the game. 



36 SOCIAL GAMES 

Fly Away. — Any number may take part in the 
game of " Fly Away," which, while simple, is amus- 
ing, and requires attention and quick action. The 
leader calls out quickly the names of certain birds 
or animals, each time raising his arms to imitate 
the act of flying. The players must imitate his 
movements only when some animal or insect with 
wings is mentioned, and must refrain from doing 
so when the animal mentioned does not fly. Certain 
penalities may be imposed upon those who make mis- 
takes ; or, when the group is small, the ones " flying 
away " at the wrong time may be eliminated, and 
thus the one who remains longest without a mistake 
is declared the winner. A variety of insects and 
animals may be mentioned, such as the elephant, 
horse, robin, hippopotamus, eagle, crocodile, mos- 
quito, oyster, squirrel, fish (the last two may belong 
to the flying variety), wasp, duck, ichthyosaurus, 
bat, monkey, crab, armadillo and countless others ; in 
some cases the scientific names may be given, and 
when a long list is prepared the game may promote 
a knowledge of natural history. 

Going to Jerusalem. — This is a game of consid- 
erable antiquity, and perhaps well known, but it is 
a good one and deserves a brief description. It may 
be played by ten or up to a hundred or more players, 
provided there is a sufficient number of chairs. The 
chairs are placed in line in the center of the room, but 
are so arranged that they face alternately in opposite 



SOCIAL MIXERS AND GAMES 37 

directions. " Going to Jerusalem " consists in 
marching around the chairs, preferably to music; 
and when the music stops, or the leader cries 
"Jerusalem!" each one must scramble for a seat; 
but as there must be fewer diairs than players, some 
of the players are left out, and they must retire 
firom the game, each one retirin*^ taking a chair 
away from the row. Then the music begins again, 
and the marching continues as before until the music 
stops. Toward the end of the game there will be 
only one chair left, and two or more players march- 
ing around it. The height of the fun is reached in 
the struggle for the last chair; and the successful one 
is said to have " got to Jerusalem." In small groups 
there should be only one chair less than the number 
of players, and after each " sitting " one chair should 
be removed. To hasten the game in large groups, 
two or more chairs may be reimoved, and thus two 
or three people are eliminated after each struggle for 
seats. 

A Game of " Country School." — This game 
combines a " lesson " in arithmetic, English and 
drawing, with a relay race, and is an admirable form 
of diversion for the schoolroom, or for groups of 
adults. While best given to twenty or forty players, 
a smaller number than twenty may take part, or 
more than forty, if blackboard facilities permit. The 
game is a fine one for " mixers," regardless of the 
number present. Although all may not play, the 



38 SOCIAL GAMES 

spectators will be amused. The " teacher " places 
rows of chairs in order, an equal number in each 
row, with ample room in the aisles. Ten dhairs in 
a row make a good arrangement, with two or more 
rows, according to the seating requirements of the 
class. There must be a blackboard in front of the 
class, preferably of generous proportions. The 
" teacher " marks on the board, directly in front of 
each row, the space allotted to that row. To the 
one seated in the front chair of each row is given a 
piece of chalk. The " teacher " explains that at the 
word " Go ! " the first " scholars "in each row must 
run up to the board, write down a number (a single 
figure) , then must run back and give the chalk to the 
one sitting next behind him in that row. Each 
player in turn goes through this performance, until 
the last in the row is reached. This last one, when 
his turn comes, must run to the board, draw a line 
under the figures with w'hich his row is concerned, 
and add them up. The line wins whose column of 
figures is first placed on the board and correctly 
added. A requirement of the game is that the figures 
must not be all alike, but must be varied as much as 
possible. The little element of competition and the 
moderate muscular exercise involved make the game 
interesting. 

Sentence Game. — The "teacher" next announces 
tliat a lesson in English will be given. The scholars 
are arranged in rows as above, and the game is 



SOCIAL MIXERS AND GAMES 39 

played in similar fashion. The first scholar writes 
on the board one word ; he then runs back and gives 
the chalk to the one seated next behind him. This 
one, in turn, adds a word, and so on down the line, 
each adding a word which must build up a complete 
sentence. The last in the line must complete the 
sentence, and may use more than one word if neces- 
sary. The writing must be legible, the sentence 
grammatical; and the "teacher" may be judge of 
the best sentence, giving his reasons for his decision, 
or he may appoint someone else as judge. The game 
furnishes a great deal of amusement as the rival 
teams do their impromptu composition, and no one 
may predict the completed sentence until the finish- 
ing touches are added. 

Jumbled Words. — ^A variation of this game may 
be used, in which the " scholars " have agreed upon 
their sentence in advance. If there are ten in the 
row the sentence must contain ten words, each pupil 
having his word previously assigned. But instead 
of writing the words in order the teacher calls on 
the pupils in irregular order; hence they are written 
as " Jumbled Words." The trick is correctly to read 
the sentence, and this may be done by any pupil in 
any of the other rows. Each row should be given an 
opportunity to present its " jumbled word," the vic- 
tory going to that row whose members guess the 
greatest number of correct sentences. The teacher 
may prepare the sentences in advance, giving to each 



40 SOCIAL GAMES 

pupil a slip on which is written the word to be tran- 
scribed on the blackboard; or he may whisper to 
each scholar the word to be written, as the scholar 
comes to the board. In this latter case the sentence 
will be a mystery to all, and anyone in the room may 
try to guess it. 

Progressive Drawing. — ^Having given the les- 
sons in arithmetic and English, the " teacher " 
announces that the class in drawing will exhibit their 
artistic ability. He writes on the board the name 
of some animal, bird or person as an assignment for 
their drawing. With chalk in hand, as before, each 
pupil makes a few lines in outline of the animal, then 
runs and gives the chalk to the next, tintil the last, 
who must complete the drawing. The game is a 
source of much merriment, which may be heightened 
by the clever remarks of the judge, whose final deci- 
sion as to merit of each drawing shall put to rest 
the doubts of the spectators. 

Progressive Poetry. — As a more difficult part of 
this game, poetry may be written, each pupil writing 
cue line, and the next adding one line, to complete 
the " sonnet." The game, of course, calls for quick- 
ness of thought and action, and is rather a severe 
test of one's literary abilities. 

The Compass Game. — As an excuse for bringing 
into action a large number of people at once (because 
only " standing room " is needed) we may make 
use of the simple game of facing about rapidly from 



SOCIAL MIXERS AND GAMES 41 

one point of the compass to another. The leader 
should ask the group to indicate to him the direc- 
tion of North, South, East and West. Then he 
explains that when he mentions the different 
points of the compass, they must quickly face in 
that direction. He may say, '* I come from the 
North ! " when all are required instantly to face 
North ; and so likewise they follow his course when 
he says : " I am going South ; I am sending a letter 
East; I want to visit the Southwest; I have a farm 
in the Northeast ; my house faces East-by-Northeast ; 
the wind 'blows West." When the wind is men- 
tioned, the group may imitate the sound of the wind : 
and if a whirlwind is suggested, all must keep turn- 
ing rapidly until another direction is mentioned. To 
make the game more difficult, states or countries may 
be named, the facing to be done in the direction of 
those localities. It will be interesting to notice the 
discrepancy of ideas as to direction when cities of 
our own or other countries are mentioned, and one 
is required to turn his face in that direction. The 
game is a good one for the schoolroom. It requires 
attention, quickness and, thought, and a knowledge 
of the points of the compass as well as of geography. 
The Laughing Game. — Perhaps a forced laugh 
is not of such hygienic value as the genuine one; 
but this game will no doubt change the imitation 
into the reality. The leader tosses up a bunch of 
keys or other object, and makes the requirement 



42 SOCIAL GAMES 

that while the object is in the air, each one must 
laugh as loud and as genuinely as circumstances will 
permit; but as soon as the object falls to the floor 
there must be sudden and complete silence. By 
varying the height of the throw the " laugh " may 
be long or short, and the sudden stop gives a peculiar 
effect. It may be noted that there are usually some 
who become quite unable to curtail their laughter 
at the given time. 

Progression. — The next two games, " Progres- 
sion " and '' Menagerie," are best adapted for fifteen 
or twenty players, but they are mentioned here 
because of their value in social mixers, chiefly on 
account of the amusement furnished to the spec- 
tators. In ^' Progression " the players are lined up 
side by side, and the explanation is given that each 
one, when called on, must '^ progress," one at a 
time, to a certain line (perhaps fifteen or twenty 
feet distant), and his method of progression must 
be altogether different from that of any other player. 
For instance, he may walk or run forward, back- 
ward or sideways ; he may hop, waltz, crawl, roll or 
progress in histrionic strides or gymnastic move- 
ments or gestures, of any sort, as long as he does 
not duplicate the movements of any previous player. 
If a player uses any such method, he is sent back to 
start over. When all have " progressed " to the 
given line, they may be required to return to the 
starting-point, still using different styles of locomo- 



SOCIAX MIXERS AND GAMES 43 

tion; and so on, backward and forward, until the 
limit of combinations has been reached. After one 
group has reached the line, another relay of players 
may be called upon. The gymnastic ingenuity of the 
boys espeoially is brought out in this game, and it 
is not difficult to show a hundred methods of " pro- 
gression" (Fig. lo). 

Menagerie. — This is a mirth-provoking game, in 
which dignity must be " thrown to the winds." The 
leader of the " menagerie " explains that within the 
group there is a wonderful variety of strange animals 
who, when called upon, will do two things — imitate 
the movement of the animal and duplicate its cry. 
He may declare in bombastic language that he " will 
first exhibit the primeval kangaroo, recently cap- 
tured in the wilds of Hoboken, exhibited for the 
first and last time on civilized American soil." He 
indicates some member of the group, who must at 
once do his part to carry out the suggestion. The 
hopping movement O'f the kangaroo must be imitated, 
and the sort of cry must be uttered which the player 
may fancy properly belongs to the animal in ques- 
tion. After a very brief exhibition by the kangaroo, 
the animal is required to remain at a given point until 
joined by other members of the menagerie. In like 
manner others of the crowds are miscellaneously 
picked out to represent different animals, and when 
called on they must unhesitatingly obey the demands 
of the leader. Following is a suggested list : 



44 



SOCIAL GAMES 



Crab. 


Bear. 


Eagle. 


Hippopotamus. 


Grasshopper. 


Lion. 


Antelope. 


Blue Jay. 


Seal. 


Camel. 


Rooster. 


Frog. 


Oyster. 


Hen. 


Giraffe. 


Mule. 



Lobster. 

Bumblebee. 

Elephant. 

Mosquito. 

Tiger. 

Monkey. 

Squirrel. 

Buffalo. 

Additions may easily be made to this list. After 
each animal has joined his companion the leader 
announces that, wonderful as his exhibition has been, 
there is something still more wonderful in store 
for the spectators, because there is going to be a 
circus parade, in which all the animals will take part 
at once, each doing his particular exhibition and 
uttering his own peculiar cry. The resulting parade, 
which may extend entirely around the room or for 
a shorter distance, is extremely ludicrous, if entered 
into in the spirit of the game. The leader may head 
the circus parade by a band, which may add to the 
ludicrous character of the game. Different persons 
should illustrate the movement, or take the part of 
the following instruments : Drum, trombone, comet, 
clarinet, piccolo, cymbals, etc. ; and, by all means, the 
calliope should be included ! 

Advancing Statues. — This is a game in which 
large numbers may take part ; it is likewise suitable 
for small groups. It is adapted to a large hall, but 
is best played out-of-doors. The players are either 
lined up or must all start from one end of the play- 



i <#.-45»*'.; 




FIG. 10 



FIG. II 



FIG. lO. — PROGRESSION FIG. II. — ^ADVANCING STATUES 



SOCIAL MIXERS AND GAMES 45 

ing-spac€. The leader is stationed as far away from 
the players as convenient. He explains to them that 
they may progress toward him and toward the goal- 
line on which he stands, but they may advance only 
when his back is turned. It is also required that 
when the leader turns around and faces the ad- 
vancing players, they must instantly stop and assume 
some statue-like attitude, or hold themselves in some 
gymnastic position. This statuesque pose must be 
held until the leader again turns his back to the 
group, when they are at liberty to advance. The 
leader should frequently and suddenly turn toward 
his " statues," and if he discovers any in the act of 
advancing, or showing any movement, he sends 
that one back to the starting-line again. The first 
of the '' advancing statues " to cross the goal-line 
wins the game. This play requires close attention, 
and develops muscular co-ordination and control. 
The players should endeavor to offer a great variety 
of poses, and if any two are alike in their positions 
both may be sent back to the starting-line as a 
penalty (Fig. ii). 

Left-handed Handshaking Mixer. — ^A variation 
of the " Mixing Socials " may be used to good 
effect by a program which shall require that all hand- 
shakes be given with the left hand only; and all 
autographs (as described on p. 19) must be written 
with the left hand. If refreshments are served, the 
left hand must be used. 



46 SOCIAL GAMES 

Further variations of the handshaking methods 
have been successfully tried as follows : The leader 
announces that each person in the group must at 
once shake hands with at least five people in the 
group, using the old style " pump-handle " grasp, 
up and down; after this has been accomplished, he 
directs that a similar number be greeted with the 
high handshake; then a side-to-side movement; a 
hearty grasp; the Chinese method, in which one 
shakes his own hand instead of that of his com- 
panion; etc. 

Historical Characters. — ^An amusing method of 
prom.oting acquaintance and furnishing topics for 
conversation is this one of " Historical Characters.'^ 
Before the arrival of the members of the party, there 
must be prepared a sufficient number of slips of 
paper bearing the names of various characters, his- 
torical and contemporary, men and women, real and 
fictitious. One of these slips is pinned on the back 
of each person, without his knowledge of the name 
which he bears. The people who talk to him must 
first observe his label, and then address to him some 
remark or some question which might pertain to 
the historical character whose name is pinned on his 
back. Thus it happens that it is only after consid- 
erable conversation that each j>erson finds out who 
he himself is. The questions and remarks should 
not be too leading or too pointed. 

Some of the characters which might be assigned 



SOCIAL MIXERS AND GAMES 47 

are the following: Sir Walter Raleigh, Mother 
Goose, P. T. Barniim, Shakespeare, Jess Willard, 
Henry Ward Beecher, " Uncle Remus," Queen 
Elizabeth, the King of the Sandwich Islands, the 
Czar of Russia, the Queen of Sheba, Alice (of Won- 
derland fame). Simple Simon, the Pied Piper, the 
President of the United States, Bret Harte, Mark 
Twain, King Solomon, Julius Ca&sar, David Copper- 
field and an infinite variety of others. 

As illustration, the following remarks might be 
made to Sir Walter Raleigh : " Could you, sir, give 
me a pipeful of tobacco tonight? " " What a fine 
cloak you wear! " " How does it seem to live in 
the sixteenth century ? " " How did you find the 
climate of Virginia? " " What is the mood of your 
queen to-day?" "Won't you let me brush your 
coat off for you? " etc., etc. No doubt, from these 
questions. Sir Walter will become fully aware of his 
identity. In the meantime, he must be asking other 
personages appropriate questions and making fitting 
remarks. 



CHAPTER II 

ACTIVE GAMES OF TAG 

It is a well-knoiwn fact that when we analyze the 
spontaneous games of children we find in many of 
the games — perhaps in most of them — the element 
of Tag. The racially old instincts of chasing, flee- 
ing, dodging, hiding and seeking seem to perpetuate 
themselves in numerous play activities of childhood. 

It is the purpose of this chapter to deal with cer- 
tain games of this nature, with especial reference 
to those which seem to possess elements of social 
value. Some of the games here described may be 
used when there are many participants— a hundred 
or more — but in this case it will often be found 
necessary to divide the company into groups of 
twenty or less. For the playing of most of the 
games a generous space is demanded. Practically 
all the games here mentioned may be played indoors 
in a large room or hall, but an out-of-door playing- 
space is always desirable. 

Back-to-Back Tag. — There are several methods 
of playing this game, the variations to be made 
according to the number of players (Fig. 12). In 
small groups it is understood that the players must 
confine themselves to a certain area, marked off on 
a gymnasium floor or playground. The players are 
only safe from being tagged when they are standing 

48 



ACTIVE GAMES OF TAG 49 

in couples, with their backs together, close to each 
other. They assume this position at the beginning 
of the game. One player is selected as " It," and 
another is the runner. The runner may save him- 
self from being tagged at any time by taking the 
back-to-back position with any of the players, but 
in order to find a partner it may be necessary for 
him to appropriate some already attached player. 
In this case, the one who' has been displaced must 
at once seek another companion before he is tagged 
by " It," who is always pursuing the disengaged 
players. When a: player is tagged, he immediately 
becomes " It," and at once chases the player who 
has no partner. 

A simpler form of the game; is played by having 
" It " run about among the group, trying to tag 
those who do not quickly stand " back-to-back " with 
a partner as " It " passes by. When " It " has 
passed, and the players are not in danger of being 
tagged, they must change partners as frequently as 
possible. Frequent changes lend variety and inter- 
est to the game. 

In large groups the game may be played very 
well by having the couples arrange themselves back- 
to-back at the beginning of the game. There should 
ibe one odd one, who starts the game by commanding 
loudly, " Change ! " At this signal each player must 
seek a different partner, and in the general scramble 
tibe odd one, of course, endeavors to secure for him- 
4 



50 SOCIAL GAMES 

self a partner. After each change, one player will 
be left without a partner. He, in turn, gives the 
command, "Change!" and thus the game pro- 
gresses. The changes may be directed by a leader 
who is taking no part in the game, and in this case 
there will be less confusion, because the commands 
to change come from but one source. 

Shadow Tag. — ^The Shadow Tag game is best 
played out-of-doors in the sunshine; but it may be 
played in a park, playground or other IcKrality under 
a bright electric light, or even in the moonlight, or 
around the camp-fire. The one 'Who is " It " tries to 
step on, or otherwise touch, the shadow of any 
of the players. It is, therefore, essentially a 
running game. Various ruses may be adopted by 
the players to save their shadows from the ruthless 
footstep of " It." For instance, a player may seek 
the shade momentarily ; or by bending, twisting and 
dodging may change the position of his shadow, or 
reduce it in size. He may lie down, squat or roll 
over, but if he allows his shadow to be touched, he 
himself becomes " It," and he must at once seek to 
step on the shadow of some other player. This is a 
very pleasing and pretty game for little children, who 
seem to enjoy the variation from the customary 
games of Tag. 

Double and Triple Tag. — ^The team element is 
brought into play when this Tag game is used. 
Instead of fleeing as individuals from " It," the 




FIG. 12 



FIG. 13 



FIG. 12. — BACK-TO-BACK TAG. FIG. I3. — RABBIT S NEST 



ACTIVE GAMES OF TAG 51 

players join hands, or better, lock their arms, either 
in couples or in threes. If the number of players is 
large, the "triple " game is best. To begin the 
game, a group of three is selected as "It," and in 
order that they may be always recognized, they carry 
in plain sight a small flag, or bit of red cloth, or 
perhaps a handkerchief. Each trio must keep 
together, and do their running and dodging without 
breaking apart. On the playground or on a lawn it 
is best to restrict the playing area, so as not to have 
too large a playing space. When the three who are 
" It " tag another group, they give their red flag to 
the ones tagged. The game is vigorous and full of 
funny situations; and if the "triplets" co-ordinate 
their movements in running forward, backward or 
sideways, and in dodging, some very clever work 
may be done. The game has worked well in large 
" mixers " indoors ; but the demands of one's respir- 
atory apparatus are very considerable, and the play- 
ing is usually limited to rather short periods. In 
very large groups of players, and in large playing- 
spaces, there may be two or more triplets who are 
" It " ; but it is always best to have each of these 
groups designated by the red flag. Thus there is 
never any doubt as to who is " It." 

White Folks and Indians. — This is a Tag game 
in which large numbers may take part ; or it may be 
played very well by a dozen or even fewer players. 
The players form into two equal groups. They line 



52 SOCIAL GAMES 

up, side by side, the two groups facing each other, 
so that there is a lane, five or six feet wide, between 
them. One group is designated the Red Men, or 
Indians, and the others the White Men. The leader 
of the game stands in the middle of the lane, between 
the two opposing groups of players, and tosses up a 
card or piece of wood, which must be colored white 
on one side and red on the other. If the card comes 
down with the red side up, the " red men " must all 
turn and run to their goal, which may be ten or 
twenty yards away; or if played indoors they must 
run to the wall nearest to their side. The " white 
men " pursue them, and endeavor to tag as many 
of the reds as possible before the goal is reached. 
If one is so tagged, he becomes a " white man," and 
must then go to the side of his captors. If the card 
or board falls with the white side up, the whites 
must flee, chased by the reds, who in turn try to tag 
the whites. After reaching the goal all the players 
return to their starting position, and thus the game 
is continued — perhaps until all on one side or the 
other have been captured. The uncertainty as to 
which side shall flee and which pursue lends interest 
to the game. The chance falling of the card must 
instantly determine the action of the players. The 
game is sometimes called " Black and White," or 
" Day and Night." 

Rabbit's Nest. — The photograph will illustrate 
the positions to be taken in the Rabbit's Nest game. 



ACTIVE GAMES OF TAG 53 

Two players, facing each other and joining hands, 
form one ^' rabbit's nest," and between tibe out- 
stretched arms of the two stands the " rabbit " (Fig. 
13). As many of these nests may be formed as the 
number of the players will warrant, and the groups 
should be distributed irregularly around the play- 
ing-space. In order to begin the game, there must 
be one extra '' rabbit," whoi is being chased by '' It," 
or the " dog." This extra rabbit may at any time 
run into any nest; and as there can be only one 
" rabbit " in a nest, the original " rabbit " is dis- 
placed, and must at once get out and run, because 
now the " dog " is after him. The game is best 
when the " rabbit " who is chased quickly gets into 
a nest, instead of running for a long time, trying to 
elude the " dog." The changes should be frequent, 
and it must be remembered that the " dog " can only 
tag the " rabbit " who is without a nest. 

In order that all the players may have the oppor- 
tunity of being rabbits, the formations should be 
changed, and as soon as a rabbit gets into a nest he 
should change places with one of the players who 
form the nest. 

In large groups there should be several " rab- 
bits," with a " dog " after each, and thus the changes 
will be more frequent. As soon as a " rabbit " is 
tagged, he becomes a " dog," and the " dog " 
becomes a " rabbit," thus reversing their former 
activities. 



54 SOCIAL GAMES 

Three Deep Tag — ^The old g-ame of "Three 
Deep " has been an interesting and popular one for 
ages, and deserves to continue in popular favor 
because of its excellent points. The players arrange 
themselves in a circle, standing in couples, facing 
the center. In the arrangement of the couples, one 
player is close to and directly behind his companion. 
The couples, thus arranged, should be from three to 
five feet apart. There must be one player who is 
the runner, and another who is "It." The runner 
tries to escape from " It " by dodging through or 
around the circle, and may save himsdf from cap- 
ture by taking his position in front of any of the 
couples. As soon as he takes this position, bow- 
ever, the players are " three deep," which is not 
allowed in the game; and the third man (the one 
standing in the rear) must run, as he is now the 
object of the pursuit of "It," and is in danger of 
being tagged, until he in turn can save himself by 
taking his place quickly in front of one of the cou- 
ples. The third or rear man is always thus dis- 
placed, and " It " is constantly trying to tag the 
displaced player. When one is tagged he immedi- 
ately becomes " It," and endeavors to tag the one 
who was formerly " It." The changes should be 
quick, and the players should not endeavor to run 
long at a time. The third man must get in front of 
one of the couples as quickly as possible. 

If one becomes the third man, instead of run- 



ACTIVE GAMES OF TAG 55 

ing to seek a position in front of some rather distant 
couple, he may quickly get in front of his own cou- 
ple, thus making an unexpected change, and causing 
a player in his own group to become third man. 

Variation. — ^When the game has been thoroughly 
learned, a variation may be tried which makes the 
game a trifle more complicated. The two players 
who form a couple face each other, instead of facing 
toward the center of the circle, as in the usual form 
of the game. In this variation, the runner w<hio is 
seeking to escape " It " gets between instead of in 
front of a couple, and the one to whom his back is 
turned becomes third man and must run. Thus 
either one of the players in the couple may become 
third man, depending on which way the rimner 
faces when he seeks refuge with any other two 
players. 

Co-ed or Partner Tag. — A splendid variation of 
this game of " Three Deep " is " Co-ed Tag " or 
" Partner Tag." There must be an equal number 
of boys and girls, who arrange themselves in couples, 
standing arm-in-arm beside each other. There 
should be room enough between the couples for a 
good playing-space, several feet, at least, as in the 
previous game. A girl is selected as runner, and a 
boy as " It " ; the girl endeavors to escape the boy, 
and at any time may save herself from being tagged 
by locking asms with any of the boys around the 
circle. As soon as she does so the girl on the other 



56 SOCIAL GAMES 

side of the boy becomes displaced and must run, 
because no boy may have two partners. If the girl 
is tagged before she can save herself she at once 
becomes " It," and must then chase the boy. He 
saves himself by locking arms with the girl in any 
couple, thus displacing her original companion. The 
game is easier to learn than " Three Deep," because 
it must be remembered that a boy is always chasing 
a girl, or vice versa. The game is a fine one, full 
of quick changes and variations. 

Nose and Toe Tag. — ^This rather ridiculous 
game of Tag affords merriment and exercise for 
children, and sometimes for grown-ups as well. 
The players arrange themselves in a limited play- 
ing-space, and one who' is " It " runs in and out 
among the players, seeking to tag any who has not 
assumed the " nose and toe " position. This is illus- 
trated in the accompanying photograph (Fig. 14). 
Each player, in order to be safe from, the tagging of 
" It," must grasp his nose with his right hand, and 
the toe of his left shoe with his left hand. As soon 
as the tagger has passed by, and a player is not in 
danger of being touched, he must assume an ordi- 
nary standing position, and may move about within 
the playing^pace. " It " may make use of certain 
feints and devices for tagging a player, by pretend- 
ing to pass him, and suddenly turning to tag the 
player who may be off his guard, and who may have 
relinquished his " nose and toe " position. 




FIG. 14. NOSE AND TOE TAG 



FIG. 15. — HORSE AND 
RIDER POSITION 




FIG. 16. "good-morning' 



ACTIVE GAMES OF TAG 57 

Freight Train Tag.. — A game requiring plenty of 
vigorous exercise is called '' Freight Train Tag." 
The players arrange themselves in groups of three, 
one behind the other. The one heading the line is 
the '' Engine " ; directly behind is a second player, 
who has locked his arms around the waist of the 
" engine," and a third player behind him, similarly 
joined. These three compose the " freight train." 
As many freight trains may be formed as there are 
players to make them up. The game consists of 
trying to escape from an extra player, who is " It," 
and who tries to hook on to the rear of any freight 
train. But there must be only an engine and two 
cars in any one group; consequently, if " It" suc- 
ceeds in ^' hooking on," the front player, or engine, 
becomes displaced, and he in turn must try to catch 
another train, and to become the rear car, or 
" caboose." The efforts of the trains to escape the 
extra car afford much amusement, and very vigorous 
running exercise. (This game has been described 
by Mr. E. D. Angell as " Broncho " Tag, with head, 
body and tail. The prancing movements of the 
game seem to justify the name.) 

Horse and Rider Tag. — This game for boys 
demands team work and quick action. A player is 
only safe from being tagged when he is either horse 
or rider, as illustrated in the photograph (Fig. 15). 
The boys begin the game by assuming the position, 
the horses and riders being scattered at considerable 



58 SOCIAL GAMES 

intervals around the playing-space. After getting 
accustomed to their " mounts," they must all change. 
In the meantime, " It " has appeared among them, 
and seeks to tag any player who has not secured a 
position as either horse or rider. When not in dan- 
ger of being tagged, the riders may dismount. They 
must always be ready, however, for the horse-and- 
rider position whenever the tagger comes near. 
Horses become riders, and the reverse, as the exi- 
gencies of the occasion demand. Changes should 
be frequent and lively. 

Sore Spot Tag. — In this ludicrous game of Tag, 
the game begins as in the simple form, but the first 
one who is tagged must hold his left hand on the 
part of his body which was touched; and he can- 
not take his hand away until he in turn tags some- 
one else. The object of the game is to cause as 
much inconvenience to the players as possible. 
Hence " It " tries to> tag his victim on the knee, or 
foot, or between the shoulders or elsewhere, so that 
he may be handicapped as much as possible on 
account of the requirement that he shall nurse his 
" sore spot " until he succeeds in tagging some other 
player. 

Last Couple Out — ^This old game is such a good 
one that it deserves some description here. It is said 
to be an old Swedish game, a survival of some of 
the ancient wedding games of that country. It is 
usually played as follows: The players stand in 



ACTIVE GAMES OF TAG 59 

twos, one couple behind another. They all face in 
the same direction. Any number of couples may 
play. On odd player stands ten or twelve feet in 
front of the rest of the players, with his back toward 
them. He calls, " Last couple out ! " when the cou- 
ple at the rear of the others separate, one player com- 
ing up the right of the line, and the other up the left. 
These two endeavor to pass the player at the head 
of the line without being tagged by him, and to 
join hands again some distance in front. If they 
succeed they are safe, and take their places just in 
front of the forward couple, the whole line moving 
backward to make room for them. If one is tagged, 
he becomes the odd player in front. The one not 
tagged and the original tagger now join hands and 
become the couple at the head of the line, the others 
moving backward a trifle to accommodate them. 
The player in front is not allowed to turn his head 
and look around to see when and how the " last 
couple out " is coming. This couple may vary their 
method of progress toward the front, one going 
well out to the right (or left) and the other rimning 
close in to the lines. The game is interesting and 
demands much quickness, running and dodging. It 
may be played indoors or out. 

The Beater Goes Round. — ^This hilarious and 
sometimes rather rough game is a good one for cer- 
tain groups. The situations are often ludicrous in 
the extreme. The players arrange themselves in a 



60 SOCIAL GAMES 

circle, facing inward, and hold their hands behind 
their backs. The game is started by one player who 
has in his hands a towel or similar object. As he 
runs around the outside of the circle he puts the 
towel into the hands of any player. As soon as this 
player gets the ''weapon," he immediately begins 
beating the neighbor on his right, and chases him 
around the circle with as many blows as he is able 
to administer, until the player gets back to his 
original place in the circle. Then the towel is passed 
secretly to some other player, who in turn falls upon 
his right-hand neighbor with a vengeance. The 
rules bar striking about the head and face. There 
is plenty of exercise and excitement about this game, 
but its most valuable result is the laughter and fun 
which it is sure to stimulate. 

Line Tag. — This game is called also " Maze 
Tag " and " Right Face," and is played best when 
there are twenty-five or more players, although the 
number may be less. They are arranged in lines, 
all facing in the same direction, as a gymnasium 
class, as follows : 

:^ ^ ^ ^ ^ 

The distance between the players should be such as 
to admit of their joining hands easily. This they 



ACTIVE GAMES OF TAG 61 

do, forming lanes between the lines of players. One 
player is runner, and another catcher; the runner 
tries to evade his pursuer by running up and down 
the lanes between the rows of players. There must 
be no attempt to break through the joined hands 
of the players. The leader of the game calls out, 
" Right Face ! " at any time, while the catcher is 
pursuing the runner. When the command is given, 
the players in the lines face to the right, and join 
hands in this new direction. Thus new lanes are 
formed, and the catcher may find himself suddenly 
cut off from the one whom he pursues. Again the 
command is given, "Left Face ! " when the players 
face toward the left, joining hands with those in the 
original lines. The game furnishes sudden sur- 
prises to the runner and catcher. When one is 
caught, or tagged, both players should go to the 
lines, others taking their places, who continue the 
game as runner and catcher. 

Good-morning. — Ten or fifteen players consti- 
tute a good number for this game, although a larger 
number may be used (Fig. i6). A circle is formed, 
the players facing toward the center. An extra 
player runs around the outside of the circle and 
touches on the shoulder any one of the group. As 
soon as the runner does this he turns around and 
runs in the opposite direction around the circle. The 
one who has been tagged also immediately begins 
to run in the opposite direction so as to meet the 



62 SOCIAL GAMES 

tagger. When the two meet, which is usually about 
half -Hway round the circle, they shake hands, and say, 
" Good-morning! " as cordially and politely as cir- 
cumstances will permit. Then each one continues 
his course, the objefct being to reach and occupy as 
quickly as possible the vacant place in the circle. 
The one who fails continues to run and tags some 
other player, reverses his direction, meets and greets 
his friends, as before described. The game is, of 
course, a contest to secure the vacant place, and it 
must be remembered that during the greeting, which 
may be cordial and prolonged, neither player loses 
by his temporary stop. 

Variations. — ^Several variations to this " Good^ 
morning " game may be played. Wlien the runner 
touches a player, 'he reverses his dirdrtion, but instead 
of running directly around the circle, he runs in and 
out among the players — ^that is, in front of one 
player, and behind the next one, and so on, all 
around tfie circle. The one who has been tagged 
begins immediately in the opposite direction his cir- 
cuitous course. The " Good-morning " greeting is 
made when they meet; after which they continue 
their race for the vacant place, winding in and out 
as they go. 

A second variation may be used by changing 
the arrangement of the players around the circle. 
They stand in couples, one player behind another, 
as in " Three Deeip." The runner tags the rear 



ACTIVE GAMES OF TAG 63 

player in any couple, then reverses his direction and 
runs, as in "Good-morning"; the player who has 
been tagged immediately tags also the player who 
stands in front of him. As soon as the " tags " are 
received, the players chase each other around the 
circle. Thus three are running at once, two in one 
direction, and one in the other. The first two to 
arrive at the vacant place are " safe." The third 
must continue the game by tagging the rear man in 
some other couple, when the game is continued as 
before. 

Cat and Mouse. — ^While this is essentially a 
children's game, it has often been played with 
enthusiasm by older people. A circle is formed, as 
in the last game. One player is selected as " Cat," 
and another as " Mouse." The cat endeavors to 
catch the mouse, who runs into the circle and out 
again. The players assist the mouse in its escape 
by allowing it to pass freely under their arms into 
the circle, or out of it; but they try to hinder the 
progress of the cat as much as possible, lowering 
their arms as he tries to go in and out of the circle 
while pursuing the mouse. If the mouse is caught, 
both cat and mouse take their places in the 
circle, two others being selected to continue the 
game. The players who form the circle may move 
around eit?her to the right or to the left, always 
keeping their hands joined. The cat tries to select 
a weak spot in the line in order to break through. 



64 SOCIAL GAMES 

Prisoner's Tag. — ^In this game the player who is 
" It " puts his hands behind his back, crossing his 
wrists as if they were tied behind him, hke a pris- 
oner. In this rather inconvenient position he runs 
about within the playing-space and tries to tag the 
others, keeping his hands behind him,. If one is 
tagged he be*comes " It," and must assume the pris- 
oner's position and continue the game. 

Handkerchief Tag. — A knotted handkerchief or 
a small ball or other convenient object is used in this 
game. The aim is to tag the person who has the 
handkerchief. The j^layers try to get rid of the 
handkerchief by handing it or tossing it to another 
player as quickly as possible; and hence, on account 
of the rapid changes, " It " sometimes has a hard 
time in tagging the right person. 

Snatch the Handkerchief. — ^When this game is 
played out-of-doors, a small stake or stick a couple 
of feet long must be driven into the ground. On this 
stake the handkerchief is placed. The two opposing 
players take their positions fifteen or twenty feet on 
opposite sides of the stake'. At the word " Go,'' each 
runs to the stake, tries to snatch the handkerchief 
and return with it to his goal without being tagged 
by the other player. If a player is tagged it counts 
a point against him,; eleven points win the game. 
'As the object of the game is to tag the player who 
has the handkerchief, rather than to secure the hand- 
kerchief itself, some funny situations may be brought 



ACTIVE GAMES OF TAG 65 

about. Often the players meet at the stake on which 
the handkerdiief is placed, and neither one may 
attempt immediately to snatch the handkerchief, 
but they watch one another, each ready to admin- 
ister his " tag " when the handkerchief is snatched. 
Various feints and ruses may be employed, the 
players sometimeis walking around the stake, each 
ready to catch his opponent off guard. 

When there are many players, they form two 
equal groups, facing each other, with a sufficient 
number of stakes and handkerchiefs to allow the 
whole group to play at once. Instead of stakes, the 
handkerchiefs may be simply laid on the ground. 
When the game is played in a gymnasiimi, Indian 
clubs may be set up on the floor to serve the purpose 
of stakes. 



CHAPTER III 

PARLOR AND HOUSE-PARTY GAMES 

It is proposed in this chapter to suggest and 
describe certain interesting games which are suitable 
for the entertaininent and amusement of groups of 
people who have come together for a social evening. 
The games here given are more or less quiet, in the 
sense that they demand but little movement or exer- 
cise; but often they are quiet in no other sense. 
Many of them stimulate quickness of mental action 
by demanding sudden and unusual answers, spoken 
or written. Others of the games suggested have 
their chief worth in the fun and laughter which they 
provoke, and hence in this respect they possess 
hygienic value of considerable importance. 

In the home, around the fireside, these games will 
assist in cultivating the art of family amusement. 
Too often in our rushing American life we neglect 
the simple^ means of entertainment. These games 
will dissipate some of the dullness and monotony of 
home life which often cause young people to seek 
entertainment outside of the home circle. 

But little preparation will be found necessary for 
most of the games here described. In some of them 
papeir and pencil are needed, while in others a very 
simple preparation will suffice. The successful intro- 
duction of these games into social parties often 



PARLOR AND HOUSE-PARTY GAMES 67 

results in rich enjoyment on the part of all; and 
the social leader who has them in his repertoire is 
usually in demand, and always welcomed in any 
group. The fact that the participants in these 
games are usually at once put at ease renders their 
social value very considerable. Even the old game 
of ''Consequences " has its strong points. At least 
it furnishes amusement, even though sometimes of 
the cruder sort. 

Descriptive Adjectives. — ^A good illustration of 
a simple social game which may be introduced into 
any company of people is one which is called 
" Descriptive Adjectives." One of the persons pres- 
ent is selected as the object to be described. The 
leader suggests that '* this gentleman must be 
described by an adjective beginning with A, and he 
will not be disturbed by your outspoken impression 
of him." The players in turn give their answers; 
he is an " austere '*' gentleman, an '' avaricious " 
gentleman, or he may be " antiquated," " awful," 
'' arrogant " or " amiable," according to the mental 
operation of the person questioned. And so adjec- 
tives, beginning with B, C and so on down the alpha- 
bet, are given. The change from one letter to the 
next is madei after all in the group have had their 
chance to describe their victim with the given letter, 
and no two may give the same adjective. In large 
groups, il: is o-ften a severe test of one's inventive- 
ness; it would be doubly so, if one had to confine 



68 SOCIAL GAMES 

bimself to the truth, which, in this case, is not at 
all necessary. After several letters have been used, 
it is well to change the subject of the descriptive 
adjectives. The name of some lady in the group 
may be mentioned, and the game proceed as before. 
For increasing the vocabulary of children this game 
has considerable value. 

The Geography Game. — ^As a test of one's 
knowledge of geography, this game is a good one. 
The leader explains that he will mention some 
country, state or island; and before he counts ten 
the person to whom he points must give the name 
of some city, mountain or river which is located in 
that state or country. The game may be varied by 
asking for some of the products of the state men- 
tioned, or for the names of some of its noted citizens. 
One must keep his wits about him to play this game, 
because of the limited time allowed for his answer. 
The game may be played by having the participants 
stand in line, as a class in school; the one who 
misses goes to the foot. In other cases, the one 
who misses three times in succession may be required 
to pay some forfeit. The game may be very well 
reversed, i.e., the names of cities given, and the play- 
ers must quickly mention the states or countries 
to which they belong. It is often well for the leader 
to have a prepared list of cities, rivers, etc., at hand, 
so that his questions may :be given rapidly, and may 
be of great variety. 



PARLOR AND HOUSE-PARTY GAMES 69 

Water, Earth, Fire, Air.— The game of " Bird, 
Beast or Fish? " is perhaps well known, but this 
(English adaptation, called '' Waiter, Earth, Fire, 
Air," is better. The company is divided into two 
equal groups who sit facing each other. Each group 
has a leader, or captain, who holds a knotted hand- 
kerchief in his hand. The captain on one side begins 
the game by calling out " Water ! " and throws the 
handkerchief in the lap of some player on the oppo- 
site side. Before the captain counts ten the player 
must mention some animal which lives in the water, 
some variety of fish, aquatic plant or insect. If the 
captain calls " Earth ! " some quadruped, or land 
animal, vegetable or plant must be named ; if " Air ! " 
some species of bird or insect; and if " Fire! " the 
player must remain silent and motionless while the 
ten is being counted. If a player cannot think of 
a correct answer, he may toss the handkerchief to 
another on his own side, thus shifting the respon- 
sibility; but the answer must be given before the 
ten is counted. If a player misses twice, or speaks 
when he should keep silent, he is eliminated from 
the contest, and must withdraw. The captains on 
each side take turns in calling either Water, Earth, 
Fire, Air, and in tossing the handkerchief to the 
players. In this form of the game, by eliminating 
the unsuccessful players, there is an element of con- 
test. The side which succeeds in eliminating all the 
opponents wins the game. 



70 SOCIAL GAMES 

Even in so simple a game there is a considerable 
degree of fun, w'hith is increased by the absurd 
answers sometimes given by the players, who have 
so little time to frame a correct answer. The lead- 
ers on each side should insist that a variety of ani- 
mals, birds, ifish, etc., be mentioned, so as to avoid 
monotony. Hence a rule may be made that at least 
different things shall be mentioned by the players on 
each side for a period of two or three minutes. 

Analogies. — ^A first-rate game for developing 
quickness in framing clever answers is this one, 
sometimes called " What is my thought like? " but 
better named, perhaps, " Analogies." The leader 
announces that he has in mind a thought, which, 
however, he will not disclose until later. In the 
meantime lie requires each player to tell him what, 
in his opinion, that thought may be like. Of course, 
the answer must be ait random. The first player may 
suggest, " Your thought isi like! a star." The second 
miay say, " Like a watermelon " ; another, " Like an 
automobile tire " ; and another may declare that the 
mysterious thought is " like a Fourth of July celebra- 
tion." The leader musit write' down in turn each of 
the answers given, and* when he has secured them 
all he announces that his thought was of his pocket- 
book. Then he glances at the written answers, and 
asks the first player why his thought, i.e., his pocket- 
book, is like a star? The player may answer: " It's 
rather light! " or, " There's nothing in it! " Then 



PAELOR AND HOUSE-PARTY GAMES 71 

the next player must explain why the pocket-book is 
like a watermelon? The answer may be given, 
" Seedy " ; " Often busted " ; "May be easily opened, 
and there's plenty in it," etc. The player who sug- 
gested an automobile tire must give his reasons of 
similarity, and may say, " Your pocket-book is like 
an automobile tire because it is necessary for suc- 
cessful travel " ; or, " sometimjes gets flat," etc. 

And thus each player must frame a reason, twist- 
ing his answer to suit the occasion as best he may. 
Often the replies are extremely ludicrous. Having 
secured them all, the leader may suggest that he will 
change the form of his question, and ask : " Why is 
my thought not like the objects mentioned? " The 
first player must then explain why the pocket-book 
is not like a star. It may be, " Because it is usually 
very near you " ; or, " It may sometimes be seen in 
the daytime," etc. 

In almost any company, a number of clever 
answers may be secured ; and these answers must be 
made, of course, on the spur of the moment. 
Exchange. — A jolly house-party game which is 



full of funny situations and some exercise is called 
" Exchange." Ten or a dozen players may take 
part in the game, but a larger number is desirable. 
The players are seated in chairs, forming a large 
circle ; the players are numbered consecutively from 
one upward. After receiving their numbers they 
may arrange themselves in irregular order. One 



72 SOCIAL GAMES 

of the players is blindfolded and begins the game 
by standing in the center of the group and calling 
out any two numbers. The players who bear these 
numbers must exchange places. While they are 
doing so the iblindfolded player endeavors to tag 
either one of them, or to secure for himself one of 
the chairs vacated. Those whose numbers are called 
exchange places as quietly as possible, and by dodg- 
ing or going a long way around try to evade the 
blindfolded catcher. They may rush for their seat- 
exchange, or proceed more slowly, according to the 
nearness of the catcher. If one is tagged, or robbed 
of his seat during the process of exchange, he is 
required to take the blindfold, and thus the game 
progresses. A clever catcher will endeavor to 
remember the location of the numbers and act 
accordingly; and he may stand very close to the 
chair which he thinks is occupied by the person bear- 
ing the number which he proposes to call. 

Twirl the Plate. — The players in this game 
arrange their chairs in^ a circle, each one being num- 
bered, as in the previous game. The one who begins 
the game stands in the center, with a tin plate, or 
some similar circular object, which he spins aroimd 
on the floor. As he does so he calls out one of the 
players by number. This one immediately runs 
forward and endeavors to catch the plate before it 
has fallen on its flat side to the floor. If he suc- 
ceeds he returns to his seat ; if not, he must spin the 



PARLOR AKD HOUSE-PARTY GAMES 73 

plate and call out by number some other player, Who, 
in turn, tries to catch the plate before it falls. In a 
small company where the players are all well known 
to each other, the names of the persons may be 
used instead of numbers. 

The game may assume the character of a con- 
test. An " official scorer " may make note of the 
number of times each player is called out, and bis 
percentage of successes or failures as the basis for 
the award of a possible prize. 

Shouting Proverbs — If the company will arrange 
themselves into two e'qual groups, and try this game 
of " Shouting Proverbs," they will be astonished at 
the difficulty of solving what might seem to be an 
easy problem. One of the groups secretly selects a 
proverb, beginning, perhaps, with a well-known one, 
such as " All's well that ends well," " A rolling 
stone gathers no moss," etc. The words of the 
selected proverb are divided among the players, each 
word being assigned to at least one player, or to 
more than one if the group is large. Each group 
should have a leader; and at his signal the mem- 
bers of his company simultaneously shout the words 
assigned to them. The other group must guess the 
proverb. The resulting " Babel of Sound " is 
utterly confusing. Three or four trials for guessing 
may be allowed. If the proverb is correctly guessed, 
the '* shouting " group must turn and run toward a 
goal, pursued by the guessers. The goal may be the 



74 SOCIAL GAMES 

end of the room, or other designated place if the 
game is played out-of-doors. Those who are tagged 
must go over to the side who captured them. The 
two sides take turns in shouting their proverbs. The 
easiest way to guess is to listen carefully for single 
words, and tr\r to patch them together into a com- 
plete proverb. 

Gossip. — The game of " Gossip " illustrates how 
an ordinary statement of an item of news may grow 
in proportions and become distorted in fact as it 
passes from mouth to mouth. The players arrange 
themselves in a row or around a room. One whis- 
pers to his neighbor a bit of news of any sort. This 
neighbor in turn whispers what he heard, or thought 
he heard, to the one next to him, and so on around 
the room. If any player does not hdar or under- 
stand clearly he is not allowed to ask for a repetition, 
but must give to the one sitting next to him his own 
version of the "gossip." The last player states 
aloud his understanding of the statement made to 
him, and each one in turn may give his version, 
until at last the original statement is given by the 
first player. Astonishing variations are often found, 
and sometimes the last person receives the bit of 
" gossip " so different from the original statement 
that it does not contain a single word suggested by 
the first player. 

The Game of One Eye. — Considerable amuse- 
ment may be furnished a parlor group by the game 



PARLOR AND HOUSE-PARTY GAMES 75 

of " One Eye." The company divides itself into 
two groups. In the doorway of the room is hung 
a sheet or large curtain which completely hides the 
players in one room from those in the other. A hole 
an inch and a half or so in diameter is cut in the 
sheet at about the height of the heads of the players. 
One group selects one of its members, who places 
one eye in the opening of the sheet, and the other 
group must guess whose eye it is. Each member of 
the group may write his guess on a slip of paper. 
After all the players on one side have made their 
exhibition of " one eye," and guesses have been 
recorded by players on the other side, the papers 
may be collected, and the percentage of correct 
guesses may be ascertained. Each group takes its 
turn at guessing, which may proceed in the nature 
of a contest if the papers are taken up and scored 
according to their correctness. 

If one has not tried this game he will be sur- 
prised at the difficulty of recognizing even an inti- 
mate acquaintance when only a small part of his 
face is exposed to view. Sometimes the game is 
played by thrusting one hand through the opening 
in the sheet, the others guessing* to whom it belongs. 
A variation has also been tried of having the sheet 
hung so as to leave a space of six inches at the bot- 
tom. The game then consists in guessing to whom 
the exhibited shoes belong ! 

The Game of Wink. — This game is played best 



76 SOCIAL GAMES 

when there is an equal number of boys and girls. 
The girls (or one-half the company) are seated 
in chairs placed in a circle. There should be one 
empty chair. Behind each chair stands a boy. The 
one who stands behind the empty dhair must seek to 
secure an occupant for that place. In order to do 
so he is not allowed to speak, but must wink at any 
one of the girls who are seated. As soon as she 
observes this silent appeal, she tries to slip away 
quickly to the empty chair ; but her partner, standing 
behind her may prevent her from doing so by touch- 
ing het on the shoulders. If this is done she cannot 
escape, but must keep her seat. The player behind 
the empty chair then gives his imploring sign to some 
other girl. If she escapes she occupies the empty 
chair, but of course leaves one behind. Thus the 
guardians of the empty chairs are continually chang- 
ing, and the standing players endeavor to avoid hav- 
ing an empty chair in front of them. The guardians 
of the chairs must watch closely the " winks " of the 
lonesome players, and see that their charges do not 
escape ; but they must avoid roughness. The seated 
players must only be touched when tJhe standing 
players think they are about to lose their partners. 
When the game has progressed for a while, the boys 
take the seats, and the girls become their guardians, 
when the game proceeds as before. 

The Acrostic Sale. — This game taxes the wits 
of the players who make the " sales." One member 



PARLOR AND HOUSE-PARTY GAMES 77 

of the party announces that he has some article to 
sell — any imaginary article will serve the purpose, 
especially if the word is composed of seven or eight 
letters or more. To illustrate : The one who begins 
^the game may say: "I have an AUTOMOBILE 
for sale." To the next player he says : '' What will 
you give me for the first letter in this word, the A? " 
The answer may be " An alligator." And so he 
requests of the different players their offers, taking 
the letters of the word Automobile in turn; the 
answers must begin wit!h the letters named. The 
'' salesman " must make a written list of the items 
mentioned. The complete list of articles offered for 
his automobile may read as follows- 

Alligator. Oil-can. 

Urn. Blackberries. 

Tom-cat. Isinglass. 

Oatmeal. Locket. 

Mush-bowl. Ear-ring. 

Having secured this miscellaneous collection of 
useful articles, the player who has made the sale 
must explain in a little story what he is going to do 
with all those things, weaving each separate article 
into the web of his narrative. For instance, he may 
say : " I am going to start a little Zoo. I have 
already for my collection an Alligator and a Tom- 
cat. I shall feed them with Oatmeal served from my 
Bowl, and Blackberries from my Urn. I shall put 
a window of Isinglass in their cage, and in case 



78 SOCIAL GAMES 

of sickness use my Oil-can. With the Locket, I 
shall adorn the Alligator, and put the Ear-rings on 
my Tom-cat ! " The trick is to bring into a very 
short story every article mentioned, in as reason- 
able a way as is found possible. Each player takes 
his turn in offering things for sale, and when the 
articles are all secured he must explain his line of 
conduct after he has come into possession of the 
various things which have been offered. The game 
is capable of many funny interpretations. The arti- 
cles offered should be as absurd and unusual as the 
wits of the players may suggest. The greatest tax, 
of course, comes on the ingenuity of the possessor 
of the article which is offered for sale. 

I Went to Paris. — ^This game justifies itself only 
by the laughter it provokes on account of its absurd 
movements. The company, seated around the room, 
imagines that it has taken a journey to Paris in order 
to purchase certain necessary commodities. The 
first player says, '' I went to Paris.'' The second, 
next to him, asks, " What did you buy? "' The first 
player makes answer, " A pair of shoes," and moves 
his feet about slightly, to- indicate the nature of his 
first purchase. He must continue the movement 
throughout the whole g'ame. The second player says 
to the third, " I went to Paris." The third asks, 
"What did you buy?" Whereupon the same 
answer is given, " A pair of shoes," this player also 
indicating his purchase by the movement. Each 



PARLOR AND HOUSE-PARTY GAMES 79 

player in turn makes the same assertion, " I went to 
Paris," his neighbor always asking, " What did you 
buy ? " and when the shoes are mentioned, the move- 
ment with the feet is made. By the time the ques- 
tion has gone all aroimd the circle, all are moving 
their feet about. On the second round the leader 
again says he has gone to Paris, and when asked as 
to his purchase he may say, ''A fan." Then with his 
right hand he begins imaginary fanning, at the same 
time keeping his feet moving. The questions and 
answers go around the circle as before, each making 
imaginary movements with a fan, at the same time 
keeping up movements with the feet. On the third 
round the leader may say he bought a pair of gloves, 
and wiggles the fingers of his left hand to indicate 
that article of apparel, and all the company imitate 
him as before, after the question is asked. On the 
next round the leader states that he bought a pair of 
eye-glasses, and indicates it by winking fast, at the 
same time keeping up all the other movements. The 
next time he has bought a set of false teeth, and 
illustrates that purchase by rapidly opening and clos- 
ing the mouth. When the game has reached this 
point, the whole company is patting Its feet, open- 
ing and closing the fingers of the left hand, fanning 
with the right, winking fast with the eyes, and 
opening and closing the mouth! No doubt, the 
fatigue point will have been reached at this juncture. 
The game can be played quickly by hundreds of 



80 SOCIAL GAMES 

people at a time by the omission of the questions and 
answers. A leader is necessary, who makes the 
statement of his purchases and the necessary move- 
ments, which all the company must imitate at once. 
Then he adds to the list of articles, one at a time, 
by tdling the little story of his Paris purchases, and 
all the company imitate. 

The Donkey Solo.^This game takes rather an 
unfair advantage of one of the players, but the 
merriment of the others is its justification. The 
leader announces that he will direct a game, the 
name of which he cannot divulge. He explains, 
however, that a little barnyard music may be the 
result, and that at a given signal all must play t?heir 
parts, which he will suggest to each separately and 
privately. He intimates that he will indicate some 
particular form of noise for each to make. Then 
he goes around and whispers his directions to each 
player. Selecting a victim, he whispers to him to 
bray loudly, like a donkey, when the signal is given. 
He whispers to all the rest to remain absolutely 
silent. T'hen when he gives the signal for the game 
to begin and everybody is quiet except the one who 
bursts out into the " Donkey Solo,'' the effect may 
be imagined. It is needless to say that the game is 
only of brief duration, and can be played but once 
in any one group ! 

Barnyard. — This noisy game is somewhat sim- 
ilar to the preceding, except that all the company 



PARLOR AND HOUSE-PARTY GAMES 81 

actually take .part in the activities. The leader 
assigns to each the name of the animal which the 
player shall imitate. When the leader raises his 
right hand certain ones must imitate the squealing 
of pigs ; others, the crowing of roosters, the cackling 
of hens, the neighing of horses, the braying of don- 
keys, the bleating of sheep, the barking of dogs, the 
mewing of cats, the gobble of the turkey, the 
" quack " of the ducks, the hiss of the geese, the 
mooing of the cows, etc. One must represent the 
call to breakfast, made by the farmer's wife, and 
the response by the farmer himself. Other farm 
noises may suggest themselves ; the rattle of machin- 
ery, or the " honk " of the auto horn. Children, who 
are primitive enough to enjoy noises of this sort, 
greatly delight in the game. It is understood that 
when the left hand of the leader is raised, there shall 
be absolute silence. Several alternate raisings ot 
the right and left hands will no doubt suffice. If 
immediately following this game the leader gives 
the game of the " Donkey Solo," the latter is made 
very effective. 

Suggested Activities. — ^The leader by clever 
planning may make this a very spectacular game, 
filled with humorous or pathetic situations, as his 
fancy may eleict. To each member of the group a 
" suggested activity " is mentioned, and when all 
have been directed as to the course they must pur- 
sue, each one must hasten, at a given signal, to do 

6 



82 SOCIAL GAMES 

the particular duty which has been whispered to him 
by the leader. Each player is in ignorance of what 
his neighbor will do. For illustration, the following 
will suffice : Mary is told by the leader to play on 
the piano slow and doleful music ; Joihn must dance 
a lively jig; Tom is directed to clap his hands, and 
keep time with his foot ; Julia to take her handker- 
chief and to weep bitter tears, groaning continually, 
" This is too sad, too sad ! " Ned must pat her on 
the back, and say, " Poor Julia, it might be worse ! " 
Robert brings a glass of water to John, and says, 
" Drink to me only with thine eyes ! " Oscar shines 
Julia's shoes, as she weeps; Ellen grasps John's 
hands as he dances, and implores him repeatedly to 
*' Cease this savagery before it is too late ! " Alice 
and Joe put on their hats, and say in unison : " This 
is no place for us ! " Charles kneels before Alice and 
Joe, and begs, " Don't leave us thus in our sorrow ! " 
Martha sings, " There is no- place like home." 

Thus each player is given his suggested activity, 
and must begin his performance only when the signal 
is given. Endless variation may be introduced, and 
funny situations brought about ; but they have to be 
carefully planned by the leader beforehand. The 
movements and speeches should be repeated for a 
time sufficiently long to allow the players as well as 
the audience to grasp the situation fully. 

Instead of working in unison, each player may 
be assigned a separate perfoi^mance as his share of 



PARLOR AND HOUSE-PARTY GAMES 83 

the game. This is easier for the leader. Various 
members of the grouip may take turns as directors of 
the activities of the rest. 

The Cracker-eating Relay. — This rather absurd 
game takes the nature of a contest. Each girl of 
the party holds a cracker, and she has in mind a 
" knight " to whom the cracker is to be given. The 
boys who take the places of the knights line up some 
distance away, fifteen or twenty yards if the game 
is played out-of-doors, or at one end of a hall or 
room if played indoors. At the word '' Go," the 
knights run to the ladies, each receiving his 
cracker, and return to their starting-point. They 
must eat the cracker as quickly as possible, and 
return to their ladies, kneel before them, and whistle 
a tune which the lady recognizes and names. The 
first lady to name the whistled tune of her knight 
wins the contest. Spectators as well as participants 
secure much amusement from this game. 

Who Is My Neighbor? — ^This game may be 
played indoors with one-half of the players blind- 
folded, and beside each one an empty chair; or it 
may be played out-of-doors, the blindfolded players 
all being seated with some space between them. The 
rest of the players seat themselves by the side of 
those who are blindfolded and begin to sing to them 
in a disguised voice. Each blindfolded person must 
guess who his right-hand neighbor is; and in the 



84 SOCIAL GAMES 

confusion of voices this is not always an easy matter. 
Sometimes it is bettei" to have the " singing '' done 
by one player at a time, especially when the crowd is 
a large one. After a brief period of this vocal 
display, and when each has guessed his neighbor 
correctly, the sides change places, the former vocal- 
ists assuming the blindfolds, and the program is 
repeated. 

Ghosts. — The name of this game seems to have 
no particular bearing on its nature ; but it furnishes 
amusement, and demands some concentration of 
thought. Thd leader begins by naming some letter 
of the alphabet; the next player adds a letter, look- 
ing toward the formation of a word. Each one in 
turn adds a letter, but must avoid any addition which 
would complete the word. If he inadvertently does 
so, he becomes a " half -ghost." By the rules of the 
game, no one is allowed to speak to a half-ghost; 
if any player does this he himself becomes a half- 
ghost. The half-ghosts, however, may continue 
playing, and may talk all they please ; but they must 
not be answered, although they endeavor to trap 
others into conversation with them. If, then, a 
player is obliged to add a letter which finishes a 
complete word, he becomes a half -ghost. The next 
player immediately begins a new word, by naming 
another letter; the other players, in turn, add their 
letters as before. If a half -ghost is obliged to fin- 
ish the word by the addition of his letter, he becomes 



PARLOR AND HOUSE-PARTY GAMES 85 

a whole ghost, and is out of the game. He may still 
speak, however, but if a player talks to him, that 
player immediately becomes also a full ghost, and 
can play no more. Thus the players are rapidly 
eliminated from the game and the contest in word- 
making narrows itself down to two players, one of 
whom, sooner or later, must become a full ghost. 
To illustrate the game, the first player may mention 
the letter L ; the second, I ; the third avoids any let- 
ter whidi would complete a word, and may add G; 
the next, A ; the next, T ; the next may not add E, 
because that would finish the word " Ligate " ; so he 
adds I ; the next O, and the next must of necessity 
add the letter N, completing the word " Ligation," 
which makes him a " half -ghost." It will be seen 
that the point of the game is to develop skill in 
orthography, and to twist the words in such fashion 
as to avoid adding any letter which might be a 
final one. 

Jack's Alive ! — The necessary equipment for this 
game is a small stick of wood, lighted at one end; 
and while the stick is glowing it is passed from one 
player to another. Each one announces as he passes 
the stick along that " Jack's alive ! " When the bit 
of fire at the end of the stick goes out. Jack is dead. 
The object of the game is to pass the stick to one's 
neighbor while the fire still burns. When the spark 
is nearly extinguished, there will be no doubt fran- 
tic efforts to pass the stick rapidly, so as not to be 



86 SOCIAL GAMES 

responsible for " Jack's " death. Each must take 
the bit of wood as it is handed to him; and if he 
should be so unfortunate as to have Jack die in his 
hands, the charred end of the stick is used to paint oo 
his face a delicate moustache, which shall serve as 
an epitaph. The " Jack " is lighted again and passed 
around as before. Needless to say, the game does 
not progress very far before several of the group 
will bear evidences of the sad fact of Jack's demise ! 
If Jack should die more than once in the hands 
of any one player, various additional decorations are 
given him — a goatee, a penciled eyebrow and clown- 
like marks of various designs. An ordinary match 
may be used, but perhaps will be found rather short- 
lived. A larger stick of some soft wood or a cork 
is better for use in the game. 

Sardines, — This game is suitable for a large, 
roomy house, with many closets, nooks and secret 
corners. It is played in reverse fashion to the old 
game of hide-and-seek. One member of the party 
is allowed time tO' hide, when the rest go in search. 
So far as possible, each player must go alone to 
seek the hidden one; preferably they should not 
move about in groups. When the hidden player is 
discovered the one finding him must quietly go also 
into the hiding-place, and remain there with the 
first player. If no one observes him, he must take 
his place with the hidden one as quickly as possible; 
but he must try and avoid betraying the hiding- 



PARLOR AND HOUSE-PARTY GAMES 87 

place to others. Hence, if there are others in the 
room or in the immediate vicinity, the player who 
has discovered the hidden one may go elsewhere, as 
if still seeking; and at a favorable opportimity he 
may return and sneak in with the hidden one. 

Each player, then, crowds into* the hiding-place 
as he discovers it; and as the game progresses the 
fun increases. The players become packed like 
" sardines " ; hence the name of the game. The dif- 
ficulty of keeping quiet under the circumstances may 
be imagined! The last player finds himself alone, 
of course, and searching for all the rest. The game 
may be played out-of-doors, if the conformation of 
the locality permits; boulders and trees, rocky 
ledges and ravines and miniature caves have made 
the game possible for an excursion party in the 
Dells of the Wisconsin River. 

Scouting for Words. — This splendid game has 
to do with the letters of the alphabet, and might be 
called " Initials," or a " Word at a Glance." Besides 
the pleasure it gives, it may be made decidedly edu- 
cational. It certainly tends to quicken one's wits 
and to test his knowledge along miscellaneous lines. 
For children it is fine and well adapted to Boy 
Scouts patrols. 

It is necessary to have cards or slips of paper 
on which have been written or printed plainly the 
letters of the alphabet, one letter on each card. It 
is well to have three or four cards of each letter of 



88 SOCIAL GAMES 

the alphabet, omitting the X and Z and Q, or having 
only one card bearing those letters. 

The cards are mixed in the pack. One player 
must act as leader of the game, and he holds all the 
cards, face downward. He turns them over, one 
at a time, so that the letters may be clearly seen by 
each of the players. Just before he turns a card he 
may say, " Mention to me some bird whose name 
begins with this letter." Then the card is quickly 
exposed to view. The invitation is open to all ; the 
one who first gives a correct answer gets the card. 
If no one can think of an answer in five seconds, 
the leader puts the card into the pack again and gives 
some other subject, turning another card. The game 
may be varied by a clever leader to suit almost any 
group from very young children to college profes- 
sors. For the younger players the leader may say, 
" I am going to take a walk through the woods. 
What objects would I be likely to see, the names of 
which begin with this letter? " Then he turns the 
card, which is always given to the player who is first 
with his answer. When the cards in the pack have 
been exhausted, the game is over and won by the 
person who holds the largest number of cards. 

Below is given a list of subjects which the leader 
may make use of in directing the game : 

Literary: Names of authors, poets, poems, es- 
says, books, magazines, newspapers, characters in 
well-known novels, Bible names, etc. 



PARLOR AND HOUSE-PARTY GAMES 89 

Geographic: Names of rivers, mountains, coun- 
tries, cities, lakes, states, capes, islands, etc. 

Natural History : Names of birds, animals, fish, 
insects, trees, flowers, fruits, plants, vegetables, etc. 

Historical: Celebrated characters, warriors, 
statesmen, presidents, kings, emperors, governors, 
noted battles, etc. 

Musical : Names of musical instruments, songs, 
hymns, composers, musical note and signs, etc. 

Commercial: Articles found in drug stores, 
drygoods stores, book stores, groceries, hardware 
shops, banks, photographic houses, clothing stores, 
offices, etc. 

Anatomical : Parts of the body, organs, muscles, 
nerves, blood-vessels, bones, etc. 

Grammatical: Parts of speech, initials of adjec- 
tives, verbs, adverbs, nouns, etc. 

Miscellaneous : Names of girls, boys ; articles 
fotmd in the schoolroom, in the home, in bedrooms, 
etc.; parts of automobiles, bicycles, typewriters; 
names of articles concerned in railroading; objects 
seen on a city street, on a country road, at church, 
in a theater ; articles to eat, drink, smell ; articles of 
clothing, etc. 

The above list will suffice to show the great 
possibilities of the game, and how it may be made 
interesting to groups of varying ages and degrees of 
mental development. The game may be conducted 
as a contest by having the players divide into two 
equal groups, the individual players winning cards 
for their side; or a small group of players may stand 
in line, the one giving the answer first going to the 



90 SOCIAL GAMES 

head. This plan adds interest to the game, because 
the position of the players is constantly changing. 
The game may also be varied for schoolroom pur- 
poses by having all the pupils stand. As soon as 
each child gives first a correct answer he takes his 
seat and is out of the game. The slower players, of 
course, will have to remain standing longer than 
the rest. 

A good variation of the game is called " Oppo- 
sites." When the card is shown, an adjective and 
its opposite must be given; for instance, old, young; 
polite, rude; quick, slow; intelligent, ignorant; 
bright, dull, etc. 

The Silver Spoon Identification In this rather 

odd game all the players arrange themselves in a 
circle, except one, who is blindfolded and takes his 
position in the center, with a large silver spoon in his 
hand. His duty is to identify the players as best he 
can by passing the round end of the spoon over their 
heads, faces and shoulders. If he fails in his first 
attempt, he tries another player as his subject. If 
he succeeds in this rather difficult and ludicrous 
fashion in identifying one of the players, that one 
assumes the blindfold and the spoon, and the posi- 
tion in the center. The members of the company 
may change seats frequently, so as to confuse the 
blindfolded player as to the locality of the individual 
players. A player may stoop, or try to disguise the 
fact of his height, but must not otherwise interfere 



PARLOR AND HOUSE-PARTY GAMES 91 

with the efforts of the blind man to guess the names 
of the players whom he touches with the spoon. 

Guessing Baby Pictures — If the hostess will ask 
each of her invited guests to bring with him a photo- 
graph of himself taken when he was very young, 
a great deal of merriment will be created when these 
pictures are all collected and exhibited. Each pic- 
tiu-e should be nimibered and displayed in order on a 
table and each player must record his guesses on a 
slip of paper. When this has been done, the hostess 
may collect the papers and mark them on the per- 
centage of correct answers. For the benefit of the 
others, each guest must finally acknowledge his own 
photograph. The game works best in a company 
of people who know each other well. Even in this 
case the guessing is not always an easy matter. The 
comments made on the photographs by the players is 
often very ludicrous. 

Hid in Sight. — In this game it is required that 
all the players leave the room except one who 
remains behind to hide any small object; a piece of 
money answers admirably. He endeavors to hide 
it in a fairly secluded spot, but it must be placed in 
plain sight, and not in any way covered up. The 
players must be informed as to the nature of the 
object which is hidden. When they return to the 
room each player separately must begin his search, 
and after having discovered the hidden object he 
must avoid disclosing the secret by word or action 



92 SOCIAL GAMES 

and take his seat. He may even try tO' put other 
players off their guard by pretending to continue his 
search and going to another part of the room before 
sitting down. When nearly all the players have dis- 
covered the hidden coin the fun increases, because 
these have the enjoyment of watching the futile 
efforts of the unsuccessful players. Usually those 
who are more fortunate do not fail to comm^it in 
disparaging fashion upon the stupidity of the slow 
ones. 

Impromptu Performances.-— This amusing game 
may bring forth a great deal of clever talent if 
played in the right company. It is liable to tax one's 
wits, but invariably causes a pleasing diversion in 
the company. The leader must prepare beforehand 
a list of " stunts " or suggested activities, eaoh one 
being written on a slip of paper. The players must 
not know beforehand the nature of their perform- 
ances. As each one is called to a platform, or to the 
front of the room, he is handed the slip bearing the 
name of his " stunt." Objections or protests from 
the players are not allowed, and it must be under- 
stood that no one will be excused from an attempt 
at his " impromptu performance." The sooner it 
is over, the better ! Following are some suggestions 
as to the list of stunts : 

Dance a jig. Make a speech. 

Sing a song. Posg as a statue. 

Tell a funny story. Impersonate an actor. 



PARLOR AND HOUSE-PARTY GAMES 93 

Make a Fourth of July oration. 

Preach a sermon. 

Teach a class in geography. 

Illustrate a lesson in gymnastics. 

Repeat a bit of Shakespeare, or other author. 

Give a Mother Goose rhyme. 

Give in pantomime a lady dressing her hair in 
front of a mirror. 

Take the part of Hamlet. 

Play the piano or some other musical instrument. 

Assume attitudes of anger, grief, jealousy, re- 
morse, horror, ecstasy, etc., in quick succession. 

Imitate the various barn-yard noises. 

Hold a conversation v^ith an imaginary friend, 
or with some noted historical character, etc. 

Christmas Shopping. — To impersonate a toy, a 
household article or a book is the task which taxes 
the ingenuity of those who play this amusing game. 
The leader of the " Christmas shopping " expedition 
announces to the company that he has come into 
possession of several interesting articles which he 
proposes to offer for sale. Previously he has whis- 
pered to several of the players to represent by sound 
or action these different articles. He may ask one 
to take the part of a jumping-jack when called on to 
exhibit himself ; to others, he may whisper the names 
of the following suggested articles : 

Toy automobile. Teddy bear. 

Jack-in-the-box. " Moo " cow. 

Tin horn. Mary's little lamb. 

Drum. Pet poodle. 



94 SOCIAL GAMES 

Phonograph. Monkey on a stick. 

Doll. Carpet sweeper. 

Rocking-horse. Alice in Wonderland. 

Tin soldier. Robinson Crusoe. 

Having selected his players and having secretly 
assigned them their duties, he asks them all to stand 
quietly in line. Then he requests one of the com- 
pany to act as a purchasing agent, and explains that 
this agent must first discover the nature and names 
of these objects. In order to do so it is necessary 
that he press a button on one of the players standing 
in line, and immediately that player gets into action. 
If the purchasing agent recognizes the article repre- 
sented, he may say : " I like this little tin soldier 
very well. I shall buy him." Then he asks the tin 
soldier to stand aside, and begins testing the other 
players, endeavoring to guess from their motions 
or sounds what they are until they have all been 
tested and he has seen the peirformances of each. As 
he guesses the articles, he sets each aside, and finally 
he begins to carry the " articles " off with him. 
Every " article " then must follow the purchaser 
around the room, each one exhibiting his individual 
movements and making the noise required. It is 
often ridiculously funny to witness the procession 
of the jumping- jacks in action, tin horns blowing, 
autos " honking," tin soldiers stiffly marching, pho- 
nographs playing, Cheshire cats grinning, Robinson 
Crusoes looking for footprints in the sand, etc. If 



PARLOR AND HOUSE-PARTY GAMES 95 

the game is played with spirit and originality, it is 
as funny to spectators as to players. Old and young 
seem equally amused at the absurd spectacle pre- 
sented by the results of the " Christmas shopping." 

Fruit Basket. — This is a good parlor game in 
which there is much movement and scrambling for 
seats. The players should arrange themselves in 
chairs placed in a circle. They must then be num- 
bered I, 2, 3, 4, I, 2, 3,4, I, 2, 3, 4, etc., as they are 
seated. When they have thus been counted in fours 
the leader explains that all the ones are oranges; 
the twos are apples; the threes are bananas; the 
fours are lemons. By this arrangement it will be 
seen that the different varieties of fruits are scat- 
tered around the circle. The one who begins the 
game stands in the, center of the circle, and calls out 
" Lemons and Oranges ! " whereupon the lemons 
and oranges must quickly exchange seats. In the 
scramble, the one in the center endeavors to secure 
a seat for himself. If he succeeds, there will be 
one left without a seat. This one in turn may call 
out, " Bananas and Apples ! " when the players who 
represent these fruits must change seats. And so 
any combination of fruits may be spoken, and the 
change of seats made. If the player in the center 
should call out " Fruit Basket ! " the whole company 
must exchange seats. The center player thus gives 
himself an admirable chance of securing a chair. 
The company may be counted off in fives or sixes, 



96 SOCIAL GAMES 

and a greater variety of fruits assigned. More con- 
tinuous action is secured, however, by having only 
three or four varieties of " fruits." 

Shifting Seats. — Another lively game of Chang- 
ing seats is this one, sometimes called " Cover the 
Stool." All the players are seated, except one. 
There must he one unoccupied chair in the circle. 
The player beginning the game stands in the center, 
and commands "Shift seats to the right!" The 
one on whose right the empty chair is placed must 
quickly shift to it. His neighbor moves to the one 
just vacated, and so on, all around the circle. If 
the command "Shift Right!" is given each one 
must see to it that there is no vacant chair immedi- 
ately on his right. All do not, therefore, move at 
once, but in quick succession, and it is quite difficult 
for the standing player to secure the empty chair. 
If hef succeeds in doing so, the one who should 
have shifted to it becomes " It," and he in turn 
stands in the center of the circle, and gives again 
the command to shift right or left. The command 
should be given quickly and repeatedly, so that the 
players are moving pretty constantly. 

Polite Conversation. — This game is an amusing 
trial of the conversational powers of the players. 
Two players only can take part in the game; but 
the rest will be abundantly amused. These two 
players who are to engage first in the " polite con- 
versation " must leave the room. While they are 



PARLOR AND HOUSE-PARTY GAMES 97 

gone the remaining ones select some subject or some 
particular phrase which these two shall make use 
of in their conversation. The phrase or subject to 
be used is whispered privately to each player. 
Neither one must know what sentence has been 
assigned to his fellow-conversationalist. The object 
of the game is for each player to make use of his 
phrase or subject in a natural and reasonable way 
before his opponent has an opportunity to speak his 
own sentence. The sentences must not be abruptly 
spoken, but a preliminary conversation must be held, 
which may lead up naturally and logically to the 
expression of the desired words. To give an illus- 
tration: Miss Jones and Mr. Smith are sent from 
the room. Miss Jones is assigned the subject of 
False Teeth; Mr. Smith must introduce somehow 
into his conversation the subject of Watermelons. 
The leader privately infoirms each one of the subject 
on which he or she shall talk. When they enter the 
room they are formally introduced. They must act 
and speak as if they were entire strangers. All the 
members of the group, of course, know the subjects 
which have been assigned. The conversation might 
be conducted as follows : 

Mr. Smith: I am very glad to meet you, Miss 
Jones ; I have heard of you through a brother of 
mine, who was a classmate of yours in college. 

Miss Jones: I remember him very well, Mr. 
7 



98 SOCIAL GAMES 

Smith ; he was a celebrated football player, and had 
a serious accident in one of the games. 

Mr. S. : Yes, and when he left college, he moved 
down South, and bought a farm in Georgia. Fruit- 
raising was his specialty, and he had always wanted 
a Southern farm. 

Miss J. : That is interesting. I remember how 
the whole college sympathized with him when he 
lost his teeth in the game I referred to. I believe 
it was even necessary for him to have a set of false 
teeth as a result of his sad accident! 

Mr. S.: Yes, indeed, it was; but as, he raised 
watermelons on his Georgia farm, and was himself 
very fond of them, he managed to get along very 
well indeed on that diet, in spite of his accident. 

But Miss Jones succeeded in' getting around 
to the "'false teeth" first, and so wins from Mr. 
Smith, who was a little delayed in mentioning his 
watermelons! The audience in the meantime has 
taken a lively interest in the conversation, watching 
its turn to the desired subjects. Two other players 
are sent out, two other subjects are selected, which 
may be as ridiculous as possible. When a specified 
sentence, instead of a general subject, is given to 
the players, it is a little harder to weave it into the 
web of the conversation. 

The Reporter's Game. — This is another conver- 
sational game, in which each gentleman in the com- 
pany must talk for five minutes to his lady partner 
on some distinctly masculine subject or occupation, 
the more technical the better ; and at the end of his 



PARLOR AND HOUSE-PARTY GAMES 99 

conversation the lady must make a written report 
of what she remembers of the conversation. The 
gentleman may converse on subjects pertaining to 
athletics, games and records; may describe a foot- 
ball or baseball game, with technical terms, scores, 
etc. ; or he may tell stories of hunting, fishing and 
camping; or talk about automobiles, about business 
dealings, stocks and bonds, or commercial or scien- 
tific subjects, or of professional subjects generally. 
If he can talk on any subject in which the lady is not 
well versed, so much the better. After each lady 
has written her report, the tables are turned, and 
some essentially feminine subject is given by the 
lady, the gentleman being required to submit his 
report in writing after her remarks have been com- 
pleted. The ladies may converse on such subjects 
as dress-making, the trimming of hats, of shopping 
and domestic occupations of various kinds; they 
may give recipes for cooking, reports of club meet- 
ings or societies of essentially feminine interest. It 
is not permitted to take notes during the conversa- 
tions; the reports must be written entirely from 
memory, and read aloud to the company at the close 
of the " Reporter's Game." 

Animal Voices and Bird Songs. — In this game 
one player is blindfolded while the rest stand in a 
circle around him. The players in the circle may 
move about occasionally to confuse the blindfolded 
one as to their locations. With a small wand or 



100 SOCIAL GAMES 

pencil the blind man locates and touches a player, 
and asks him to grunt like a pig. If he guesses the 
name of the player who imitates that animal, they 
exchange places; if he fails to guess correctly he 
must make trial of some other player. Thus the 
amusing game proceeds. The following requests 
may be made : to roar like a lion ; bray like a donkey ; 
crow like a rooster; sing like a canary; bark like a 
dog ; mew like a cat ; howl like a hyena ; hoot like an 
owl ; cackle like a hen ; whistle like a whipi-poor-will ; 
imitate the notes of the meadow lark, boib-white, 
chickadee, mocking-nbird, mourning-dove, etc. ; cry 
like a baby ; gobble like a turkey ; neigh like a horse ; 
" quack *' like a duck, etc., etc. 

If the blindfolded player cannot name the per- 
son who has attempted the noise suggested he may 
demand a second or third repetition of the perform- 
ance. It is not always easy to identify the players, 
since the imitations are usually weird and peculiar 
and often given in disguised voices. 

Pertinent Questions and Impertinent Answers. 
— In the playing of this game the company divides 
itself into two groups who sit facing each other. 
If there is an equal number of boys and girls, so 
much the better. The ladies sit together on one 
side of the room, the gentlemen opposite them. 

Two leaders are necessary, one for the boys, one 
for the girls. The leader of the boys passes down 
their line, and whispers to each one a question which 



PARLOR AND HOUSE-PARTY GAMES 101 

must be asked the lady who sits opposite him. These 
questions should be varied, unusual and as ridicu- 
lous as possible. The leader of the girls likewise 
passes down their line and whispers to each one some 
answer which must be given. 

The game is begun by the boy at the head of the 
line who propounds his question to the lady opposite, 
and she gives the reply which she was instructed to 
furnish. Each player in turn thus asks his ques- 
tion and receives his answer. The answers, of 
course, are frequently irrelevant, and usually amus- 
ing. Much depends on the skill of the two leaders, 
who frame for the players their questions and 
answers without any prearranged consultation. The 
game is varied by having the girls propound the 
questions and the boys give the answers. The 
answers to the questions will be more fitting if each 
of the first set of questions begins with "Why?" 
and another set with " Where? " The two leaders 
should agree beforehand on some such general 
scheme of questions and answers. 

Millinery Creations. — This game requires some 
preparation on the part of the hostess. It will be 
necessary for her to furnish to each gentleman pres- 
ent a lady's untrimmed hat. Materials for the fash- 
ioning of this '* creation " must also be furnished, 
with an abimdance of pins. The materials for trim- 
ming and the hats themselves may be as cheap and 
as fantastic as possible. It would be easier for the 



102 SOCIAL GAMES 

hostess if each lady guest should bring with her the 
hat and materials for trimming. The feature of the 
game is to furnish to each gentleman a hat, trim- 
mings and pins, and in a given time (five or ten 
minutes) he must trim the hat as effectively as his 
limited ability will allow! ,When all the hats are 
finished, the gentlemen are requested to put them 
on for display, and to pass in review before a set of 
judges who shall pass upon the merits of the "Millin- 
ery Creations." 

Carpenters and Seamstresses. — The program of 
a social evening may be varied by a game of some- 
what similar nature to the above. To each gentle- 
man is given a piece of doth, a needle and thread 
and ten -buttons. At a signal to begin operations, 
each gentletnan must thread his needle, and begin 
sewing on buttons. The one who has accomplished 
most in five minutes wins a prize. 

A task of driving tacks or nails into boards may 
be assigned to the ladies. To each is given a small 
hammer and a siifiicient quantity of tacks. She 
must drive the tacks in straight rows, without physi- 
cal injury to herself. The contest is decided by the 
straightness of the rows and the number of tacks 
driven in a given time. 

Biographic Cartoons. — ^A great deal of fun may 
be had in playing this game, which is well suited to 
a small parlor group, and if the players know each 
other well the game works admirably. 



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FIG. 17. BIOGRAPHICAL CARTOON 



PARLOR AND HOUSE-PARTY GAMES 103 

To each player is given an old magazine with 
abundant advertising pages. Each person is required 
to write a brief biographic sketch of one of the 
other players, and the biography must be illustrated 
as profusely as possible by the pictures and head- 
lines of such advertisements as he may find fitting 
the person in question. The pictures or words are 
cut from the magazine and pasted in proper position 
on the sheet containing the -biography. A limited 
time is given each player for the preparation and 
writing of his " biographic cartoon " — ^perhaps fif- 
teen minutes. When all the papers are finished, the 
players pass along the results to their right-hand 
neighbors, so that e^ch one may see for himself and 
fully appreciate the amusing efforts which have been 
recorded by woi d and picture. The illustration here 
suumitted will show the possibilities of the game 

.(Fig. 17). 

^ Trades — This very old game of " Trades," or 

" Activities," usually proves of interest because of 
its great variety and the amount of originality 
which may be put into it. A parlor group divides 
itself into two equal parts, and the actors who are 
to represent the " trades " withdraw to another 
room, appoint a leader and agree upon some trade 
or activity which they are to act out In pantomime. 
Movements are assigned to different players. On 
their return to the parlor the leader of the opposite 
party asks, " What is your trade? " The leader of 



104 SOCIAL GAMES 

the actors must give the initials of the words which 
they seek to represent, which may be *' P. O." 
(PeeHng Onions). When the request is made, 
" Show us the motions," the players variously act 
out the peeling! of onions, some picking onions from 
an imaginary basket, others peeling, some wiping 
their eyes as a probable result of the operation. If 
one of the guessing party gets the clue, and gives 
the right answer, the actors must all turn and run 
toward a goal previously agreed upon. If one of 
their number is tagged before reaching the goal 
he is a captive and must go to the side of the oppo- 
site party. The two sets of players take turns in 
guessing and in acting. Below is given a suggested 
list of activities which may be represented in 
pantomime : 

Laying bricks. Beating carpets. Roasting corn. 
Making bread. Doing nothing. Fighting fire. 
Weeding vegetables. Taking photographs. Catch- 
ing a train. Going to the country. Eating water- 
melons. Building houses. Playing baseball. Go- 
ing to school. Blowing soapbubbles. Doing busi- 
ness. Running a hotel. Waiting on table. Wash- 
ing dishes. Star-gazing. Being initiated. Traveling 
abroad. Making popcorn. Cleaning house. Doing 
farmwork. Climbing trees. Playing games, etc., 
etc. 

The game is suited both for indoor and outdoor 
use, and is admirable for picnics. 



/ PARLOR AND HOUSE-PARTY GAMES 105 

J 

Rapid Transit. — The players in this game group 

themselves in a circle, standing rather close together. 
The leader must provide a number of miscellaneous 
articles of different sizes and weights. When played 
indoors the fallowing articles might be used : a sofa 
pillow, a flat-iron, a small chair, a book, a tin dish- 
pan, a waste-basket, a peanut, a brick, a pail half filled 
with water, a carpet sweeper, etc. Each player is 
provided with one of these objects, and at the word 
" Go " he passes his article in " rapid transit " to 
his right-hand neighbor. Thus the group is kept 
uncommonly busy; and at the command " Change! " 
the players must pass their possessions to the left, 
instead of the right. These changes should be fre- 
quently made. To complicate the transit of the 
articles, one or two of them should be selected for 
passage in a direction opposite to the rest. The 
sudden necessity of handling in rapid succession 
light objects, heavy objects, small and large objects, 
and unwieldly objects is a peculiar sensation, and 
tests one's muscular co-ordination, besides produc- 
ing a good deal of laughter. Any player who drops 
an object withdraws from the game, but does not 
withdraw the article which was dropped. Thus as 
the players drop out, the ones remaining have con- 
stantly a more difficult task. If all the players are 
eliminated except three or four, they will probably 
find themselves with armfuls of household articles 
of mixed character, and the exchange becomes very 



106 SOCIAL GAMES 

difficult, especially since the articles must be passed 
from one to another as rapidly as- possible. 

Hand Organ. — The object of this parlor game 
is to test the players' knowledge of music, and their 
familiarity with tunes and hymns and songs, new 
and old. The members of the company are provided 
with pencils and paper, and their task is to transcribe 
correctly the names of the musical compositions as 
they are played rapidly in succession. A pianist is 
necessary who is able to play the music easily from 
memory ; the medley of airs should include as large 
a variety of familiar songs and hymns as the pianist 
is capable of presenting. The person who has 
secured the largest correct list of the names of the 
compositions wins the game. It is generally advis- 
able that the pianist have at hand a numbered list 
of the songs which are to be played. 

Rhyming Verbs. — In this game, half of the com- 
pany retires to another room, those left behind agree 
upon some verb, which the first-mentioned group 
must guess and act out in pantomime. The only clue 
which is given to them is some word which rh)mies 
with the verb selected. For instance, one group 
selects the verb "meet,'' and informs the guessers 
that the rhyming word is " feet." The guessing 
party concludes that the word is " eat " ; they 
return to the room and in various ways go through 
thd movements of eating. The members of the first 
party silently shake their heads, when the others 



PARLOR AND HOUSE-PARTY GAMES 107 

must withdraw and select another word. Perhaps 
they guess that the verb " compete " is the one, and 
when they return their pantomime must represent 
that idea. Again they learn they are wrong. Thus 
successive trials are made until finally the right verb 
is guessed and acted out, when the members of the 
first group clap their hands. The sides take turns 
in guessing the verbs. Sometimes it is required that 
silence be maintained throughout the game, the 
only spoken word being the one which rhymes with 
> the verb to be guessed and acted in pantomime. 

... Up, Jenkins! — This game is a very old one, and 

has furnished amusement for many generations. 
It is still good, howeve'r, and is played to best advan- 
tage by from ten to twenty players, who divide into 
^qual groups, each group having a captain. The 
groups are seated on opposite sides of a table, or on 
the ground or floor. One side has possession of a 
small coin, which they pretend to pass from one to 
the other. The effort is to conceal from their oppo- 
nents the final location of the coin. 

The leader of the opposite side says, " Up, 
Jenkins ! " when all the closed hands of thei players 
who have the coin on their side are raised for inspec- 
tion. At the command, " Dbwn, Jenkins ! " all the 
raised clenched hands are suddenly brought down to 
the table with a bang, thd fingers opening as the 
hands strike the table. The opposite side endeavors 
to guess imder which hand the coin lies, and this is 



108 SOCIAL GAMES 

no easy task. The leader of the guessing side, with 
the suggestion of his team-mates, orders the hands 
raised from the table one at a time, leaving for the 
last the hand under which he thinks the coin is. If 
he should make a mistake, and order a hand up 
which covers the coin, points are counted against 
him. Every hand which still remains down counts 
one point against him, and for the side which has 
the coin. Twenty-one points count as the game. 
The sides take turns in the possession of the coin, 
keeping account of their scores. No one may give 
orders for the raising of the hands except the cap- 
tain, although he may give consideration to the 
suggestions and opinions of his team-mates before 
giving his orders. 

Hunt the Ring. — ^The players in this game are 
seated around a circle, holding in their hands a 
string which has been tied so as to form a large 
loop, and on which a gold ring has been placed. One 
player stands in the middle of the circle and all the 
rest of the players take hold of the cord and move 
their hands as if passing the ring from one to an- 
other. The standing player tries to guess its location, 
and taps the hand of any player which he supposes 
may conceal the ring. That hand must be opened, 
and if any player is caught with the ring, he ex- 
changes places with the one in the center of the circle. 

Electric Shock. — A similar game is played by 
having those who participate form a circle, each 



PARLOR AND HOUSE-PARTY GAMES 109 

player crossing his arms and joining hands around 
the circle. 

In the center stands the player who is to locate 
the " electric shock.'' The shock consists of a sud- 
den little squeeze given by the thumb and fore- 
finger to any adjacent player. This player in turn 
passes the '' shock " to the next, and so on around 
the circle. The person in the center tries to tap the 
hands of the players who exhibit the symptoms of 
shock, and if successful he exchanges places with 
the player Who was "caught in the act." Any player 
may start the shock, and if the group is large, sev- 
eral shocks may be started, sometimes traveling in 
opposite directions. 

Slipper Slap. — A similar game, which possesses 
a little more violent action, is " Slipper Slap." The 
players form a circle, but stand as close together as 
possible, holding their hands behind their backs. In 
the center of the circle stands the victim of the 
" slaps." One player in the outside circle holds in 
his hand a soft slipper, or some similar object, which 
he passes around to the other players ; the slipper is 
passed behind the backs of the players, and each 
endeavors to conceal its location. Any one of the 
players, who occupies a favorable position, suddenly 
raises the slipper, and slaps the one in the center on 
the back or shoulders, 'but in doing so he must escape 
the observation of his victim, and quickly pass the 
slipper to another player. The game affords merri- 



110 SOCIAL GAMES 

ment and demands quick action. The center player 
should be constantly turning and trying to locate 
the position of the slipper and the one who delivers 
the slaps. A player who is caught must take his 
place in the center. 

Soap Bubbles. — From time immemorial the 
blowing of soap bubbles has been a form of amuse- 
ment for children, young and old. A formula is 
here given for a solution which will produce bubbles 
of surprising size and durability. 

Half an ounce of soap — ^preferably castile — is 
cut into shavings, put into a pint of water and 
gently heated until the soap is dissolved. The solu- 
tion should be allowed to cool and should then be 
filtered. Into three parts of this solution should be 
mixed two parts of glycerine, and the mixture thor- 
oughly shaken in a bottle. It will at first be clear, 
but will soon become turbid. After a day or two 
the solution will be found to be whitish or turbid 
at the top and clear underneath. Pour off the turbid 
portion and use the clearer part for the blowing of 
soap bubbles ; or, better, siphon out the dear portion 
and keep it for use. 

A bubble made from this glycerine liquid will 
last for hours, if not disturbed by draughts of air, 
and if allowed to rest on some soft woolen fabric. 
•New clay pipes should be used in the blowing of the 
bubbles, and contests may be held in the blowing of 
the largest bubble or the most lasting one. 



PARLOR AND HOUSE-PARTY GAMES 111 

A pleasing game for children is played by 
arranging a cord, or some sort of screen, across the 
room, the bubble blowers taking opposite sides. The 
object of the game is to blow the bubbles and force 
them over the dividing line into the enemies' ter- 
ritory, by either blowing them over or using small 
fans. The opposing side tries to blow them back 
again. Every bubble that bursts in the territory 
of either side counts a point against that side. An 
imipire is necessary to decide on the points of the 
bubble warfare. The game is often indulged in by 
people who have passed their childhood days, but 
who seem to enjoy the pastime nevertheless. The 
contest may take place on a lawn instead of indoors. 



CHAPTER IV 

GAMES WITH PENCIL AND PAPER 

Games of the quiet sort have a legitimate place 
on various social occasions. Some of those men- 
tioned here are tests of mental alertness and origin- 
ality, and afford pleasant opportunities for diversion 
in parlor companies. 

Telegrams. — The players in this game are pro- 
vided with pencil and paper. The leader suggests 
that each must write a telegram, and gives a number 
of letters with which the words of the telegram must 
begin. He may give^^ for instance, the following 
eight letters as the initials of the words of the tele- 
gram : O, H, V, S, A, T, E, P. In one game recently 
played under the writer's direction the following 
different and pathetic messages were dictated : 

Old Horse Very Sick. Appendicitis. Tell Every- 
body Pray. 

Our House Violently Shaken Apparently Terrible 
Earthquake Prevailed. 

Oscar Has Very Suddenly Agreed to Eat Peanuts. 

Outlandish Hash. Very suspicious. Ate too Ea- 
gerly. Painful. 

After all the players have written their tele- 
grams they are collected and read by the leader, 
often to the great amusement of the company. 
Sometimes a word of eight or ten letters is given 
112 



y 



GAMES WITH PENCIL AND PAPER 115 

the leader holds as his catalogue of the specimens. 
Birds may be included in the list and, in addition to 
pencil and paper, colored crayons are desirable for 
more realistic representations. 

The game is won by the player who correctly 
names the greatest nimiber of animals which have 
been attempted by the makers of the '' Animal 
Cartoons." 

Book Reviews. — This game is played somewhat 
similarly to the old game of '' Consequences." The 
players are provided with rather long sheets of 
paper. At the top of the paper each one writes the 
name of a book, preferably one well known. Eadh 
player then makes a fold in his paper, so as to cover 
his writing, and passes his paper to his right-hand 
neighbor. No player should know what has been 
previously written. Thus in succession the follow- 
ing items are written, each one being folded over and 
passed along as described above: 

1. Name of Book. 4. Publishers. 

2. Author. 5. Review. 

3. Date of Publication 

As many " Reviews " may be written as the 
number of players will allow, since this is the most 
important aspect of the game. When each player 
has (had his part in the writing of the review, the 
slips are opened up and read aloud. They are usu- 
ally amusing and sometimes accidentally clever. The 
following is a sample of a " Review " : 



116 SOCIAL GAMES 

Name of Book, Uncle Tom's Cabin ; Author, Julius 
Caesar; published in 1776 by Sears, Roebuck & Co., 
Hoboken, N. J. 

A clever sea story, with a dark plot. Because 
of its gilt lettering and blue binding, it has been one 
of the season's best sellers. Abounds in pleasing de- 
scriptions of baseball games, with many original pho- 
tographs. Contains fifty-seven varieties of pages, in 
blue-black type. (Chicago American.) 

This joyous and light-hearted volume should be on 
every center table, and find a place in every sea-side 
resort. Its thrilling rehearsals of wild-west stories 
will satisfy the most ardent reader, and the moonlight 
scenes are well depicted with actual flashlights taken 
on the spot. (N. Y. Times.) 

A good book for Boy Scouts who have passed their 
forty-fifth birthday, but of doubtful utility for younger 
readers. The book is altogether too heavy for poorly 
developed readers, but is a valuable means of exercise 
if properly used. The scene is laid in the Alaskan 
gold mines, and depicts the weary life of a beautiful 
maiden seeking riches, a mother-in-law and the North 
Pole. She lived happily ever afterward. (Atlanta 
Constitution.) 

Poetic Answers. — ^There is no accounting for the 
names of certain games. This one has masqueraded 
under the irrelevant name of " Crambo " for ages. 
" Poetic Answers " would seem to be a name carry- 
ing a better description. 

Each member of the group must write on a slip 
of paper a question of some sort, reasonable or 
otherwise. On another slip he will write a noun, 



V 



r^-^ f^ ^'■^-^- 



GAMES WITH PENCIL AND PAPER 113 

out, the separate letters to serve as the initials of the 
telegram. The full name of one of the players may 
be selected for this purpose. A time limit of five 
minutes, or less, should be set on the construction of 
the telegraphic sentences. 

The Game of Artistic Efforts. — One's ability, or 
more usually inability, to express his ideas by means 
of a drawing, is shown in rather interesting fashion 
in this game. The players are provided not only 
with paper and pencil, but also with colored crayons, 
and each one must busy himself for five minutes or 
so by attempting to illustrate some historical scene 
or current news event, or to make a representation 
of a noted painting; or he may select any subject 
or happening which strikes his fancy. He does not 
disclose the title of his " artistic effort," but when 
all have finished their drawings each one passes his 
work to his right-hand neighbor. This neighbor 
must guess the subject of the drawing and inscribe 
its title underneath, folding the paper so as to hide 
his inscription. Thus the paper is passed all around 
the circle, each writing down his guess, then fold- 
ing it out of view and passing the paper along. In 
this way each player inspects each drawing and 
records his guess. When the papers have been 
passed around the circle and each original artist has 
received his own drawing, he writes upon it the 
name of the scene which he had in mind at first. It 
is needless to say that when the artistic efforts have 
8 



114 SOCIAL GAMES 

all been displayed and the guesses read aloud, a great 
discrepancy in descriptions will be noted, and much 
merriment will result. No player need hesitate to 
take part in the game because of inability to draw 
well. The cruder the attempt the more perplexing 
will be the answers. The following are suggestions 
for the "artistic efforts " ; George Washington and 
the Cherry Tree ; Pocahontas and John Smith ; The 
Landing of the Pilgrim Fathers ; Spartacus and the 
Roman Gladiators; Scene at a County Fair; A 
Presidential Inauguration; a Medieval English 
Tournament; a Colonial Thanksgiving Day; the 
Launching of a Battleship; Columbus Discovering 
America; a Mexican Bull-Fight; Street Scene in 
Venice ; Daniel in the Lion's Den, etc. 

Animal Cartoons. — ^A variation of this "Artist's 
Game " may be played in simpler form as follows : 
The hostess furnishes to each player a card or piece 
of paper about three by fivd inches in size, and 
secretly directs him to draw the picture of some ani- 
mal. A long list of animals should be prepared by 
the leader of the game in order that there may be 
a great variety and no duplicates. Two or three 
minutes are given for the drawing; then the cards 
are collected and placed on exhibition, in order that 
each player may record his guess as to the name of 
each zoological specimen. The leader of the game 
should previously number the cards, the numbers 
corresponding to the numbered list of animals which 



GAMES WITH PENCIL AND PAPER 117 

common or proper. The slips containing the ques- 
tions are placed in one pile, and the slips with the 
nouns in another, the writing downward. Each 
player then draws a slip from each pile, one question 
and one noim; and with this framework he must 
construct a little verse which in some way answers 
the question and also brings in the noun. The game 
is very amusing and often brings out unexpected and 
humorous results. 

As illustrations, the following examples may be 
given, selected from a game actually played by a 
parlor group. On this occasion, however, there hap- 
pened to be an insufficient number of questions and 
nouns, so that two persons used the same question 
and noun for their " poetic answers.'' (This is per- 
missible in the game.) The question drawn was, 
" Where was Moses when the light went out? " and 
the noun was " Habitat." One player wrote thus : 

To know our friend Moses and where he was at, 
Surpasses our knowledge of his habitat 

The other wrote: 

Where was Moses when the light went out? 
Down in the cellar, eating sauer kraut! 
No doubt a strange location that, 
But 'twas his usual habitat! 

The next question drawn by these two players 
was, " Can you cook a pie like Mother used to 
make? " and the noun was " Rooster." Following 
are the results : 



118 SOCIAL GAMES 

To-day no pies are baked like these, 

I'm Mother's ardent booster; 
I'll keep a-crowing for them pies. 

Although I ain't no rooster 1 

The second was this : 

I can't make a pie like Mother use ter, 

I can't jump over the moon; 
I cannot cry like hen or rooster. 

But I hope to be able to soon ! 

Again, the question was drawn, " When do you 
wear a silk hat? " and the noun was " Flowers " : 

A silk hat is worn at night, 
'^^ And certainly not in showers ; 
Generally it implies a cab, ' *" 
And very costly flowers. 

The second : 

When we go off to the opery house, 
We primp and primp for hours; 
Fm all decked in my tall silk hat, 
My gal decked out in flowers. 

When the group does not exceed five or six, it 
may be a good plan to select the question and nooin, 
and each one may use those subjects in his verse. 
For greater variety, however, and in larger groups 
the first plan is recommended. 

Train o' Thought — ^This amusing game illus- 
trates the association of ideas, which varies so 



GAMES WITH PENCIL AND PAPER 119 

greatly in different people. Each player writes at 
the top of his paper a certain word which is sug- 
gested by the leader. Fromf this word as a starting- 
point he writes a list of nineteen other words, which 
represent his "train o' thought/' The first word 
must suggest the second and bear some relation to 
it; the second word must suggest the third, and so 
on down the list. After five minutes the papers are 
collected and read, often to the great amusement of 
the players. The following is an example of how the 
game may result, three players beginning with the 
word "Automobile," and at the twentieth word end- 
ing with " Bumblebees," " Ice Cream " and " Incu- 
bator," respectively. 



I. Automobile. 


Automobile. 


Automobile. 


2. Gasoline. 


Money. 


Country Roads. 


3. Odors. 


Wall Street. 


Dust. 


4. Roses. 


Sky- Scrapers. 


Cough. 


5. Brides. 


Elevators. 


Lungs. 


6. Domestic Hap- 


Sinking Sensations. 


Tuberculosis. 


piness. 


Sickness. 


Sanitarium. 


7. Home. 


Doctors. 


Nurses. 


8. Comfort. 


Pills. 


White Dresses. 


9. Discomfort. 


Bills. 


" Sweet Girl Grad- 


10. Tight Shoes. 


Banks. 


uates." 


II. Leather. 


Robbery. 


Diplomas. 


12. Cows. 


Jesse James. 


Sheep Skin. 


13 Milk. 


Penitentiary. 


Wool. 


14. Dairy. 


Stripes. 


Warmth. 


15. Farm. 


Flag. 


Fire. 


16. Ploughing. 


Calamus Root 


Wood. 


17. "Barefoot Boy 


(Wild Flag). 


Trees. 


with Cheeks of 


Uncle Remus. 


Birds' Nests. 


Tan." 


Georgia. 


Eggs. 


18. Summer Time. 


Peaches and Ice 


Hatching. 


19. Cover. 


Cream. 


Incubator. 


20. Bumblebees. 







120 SOCIAL GAMES 

The list of words would also convey the asso- 
ciation if read from the bottom upward. Some- 
times the game is played by giving both the first 
word and the twentieth word, and the players must 
each progress in some sort of reasonable fashion 
from the first word to the last. Using the illustra- 
tions here given, the leader might direct that each 
player attempt some line of associated ideas from 
" Automobile " to " Bumblebees," the list of words 
being limited to twenty. 

Illustrated Songs. — Each player in this game is 
requested to make a drawing of some sort, which 
shall illustrate the title of some familiar song. The 
cruder the drawing, the more amusing it is. Each 
individual selects his own song which he attempts 
to illustrate, and, when all have finished, the papers 
are numbered and collected, and each player after 
inspection of the results registers his guess as to the 
name of the song. As illustration, one player may 
attempt to represent " Home, Sweet Home " by a 
crude drawing of a house and of a small bowl which 
is labelled " Sugar." The drawing of a pair of eyes 
and a glass labelled " Water " may go for " Drink 
to Me Only with Thine Eyes." The game is lim- 
ited only by the originality and imagination of the 
players. 

Significant Initials. — In this game (sometimes a 
little difficult to play) each person in the group writes 
at the top of a sheet of paper his own initials. The 



GAMES WITH PENCIL AND PAPER HI 

leader directs that he shall ansiwer certain questions, 
and the words in the answers must begin with the 
initials of the individual player. The following 
illustration will suffice to show the possibilities of 
the game. 

A certain gentleman's initials are S. C. W. 
These are the questions and his answers : 

In what are you most success- 
ful? Singing Curious Warblings. 

What is your favorite food? Sliced Cool Watermelon. 

What is your favorite drink ? Scotch Club Whiskey. 

What is your chief diversion? Swearing Cuss Words. 

What is your fear of the fu- 
ture? Sweating Continually Worse. 

Your favorite wearing ap- 
parel ? Striped Cheesecloth Wrinkled. 

Your favorite place of abode ? Sumptuous Qoister. White- 
washed. 

Your greatest hope? Soaring Continually West- 
ward. 

The game may be played very well by selecting 
a certain individual in the group, and all the players 
framing their answers from the initials of the one 
selected. A variety of questions may be asked. 



CHAPTER V 

'"'' STUNTS " 

No otner word will describe so well the miscel- 
laneous performances which are to be described in 
this chapter. The value of these " stunts " con- 
sists in the amusement and sometimes surprise whidh 
they create and the friendly camaraderie which they 
engender in any group. Some of the performances 
mentioned may be used in connection with other 
games, to be given as " forfeits " or penalties, and 
in this way also have their legitimate places. 

The Jug-Balancing Act. — A gallon jug, a candle 
and a match are the pieces of paraphernalia required 
for this test of balancing ability, which is not nearly 
so simple as it seems. The jug is placed on its side 
on the floor or ground, and the performer sits on it, 
with legs outstretched, and one heel placed on the 
toe of the other foot. One is allowed to touch the 
floor with his hands while getting his balance; but 
in the one hand there must be a candle and in the 
other a match. The trick consists in raising the 
hand which holds the candle and in applying the 
lighted match with the other hand. It is a surpris- 
ingly difficult feat to one who has not tried it. A 
similar and no less difficult test is to write one's 
122 



"STUNTS" (123 

name on a card while trying to maintain equilibrium 
in the position described above. 

Blind Man's Biff. — ^This contest between two 
performers is intended primarily for the amusement 
of the spectators. The two antagonists are blind- 
folded and required to lie face downward, while 
each grasps the other's left hand with arms extended., 
as illustrated in Fig. i8. Each holds in his right 
hand a generous-sized newspaper, rolled tightly into 
the shape of a wand. The contestants are permitted 
to strike at each other, only one blow being delivered 
at a time by the contestants alternately. Mr. Jones 
says to Mr. Smith : " Where are you, Mr. Smith ? " 
Mr. Smith replies : " Right here, Mr. Jones ! " 
whereupon Mr. Jones delivers a blow in the direction 
from which he thinks the voice comes. It is per- 
mitted to dodge and change the position of one's 
head as much as possible so as to evade the blows. 
After Mr. Jones delivers his blow, Mr. Smith takes 
his turn. The futile, badly aimed blows are very 
amusing. After the contest has proceeded for a 
while, one of the spectators may quietly remove the 
blindfold from Mr. Smith, greatly to the detriment 
of Mr. Jones, who, still blindfolded, is unaware of 
the sudden advantage gained by his antagonist, and 
naturally he is rather surprised when the situation 
has dawned upon him. 

The Dizzy Circle. — This is an effort to walk 
straight under difficulties. The contestant holds in 



124 SOCIAL GAMES 

his hand a cane, umbrella or stick of some kind, 
one end of which he places on the floor. He bends 
forward and places his forehead on the hand whidi 
holds the stick, and in this position he is required 
to walk around the stick three or four times. Then 
he must stand erect and walk immediately in a 
straight line to a goal ten or fifteen feet distant. The 
leader of the game may stand about this distance 
from the performer, and rather safely offer him a 
small coin, if he can walk in a straight line and pro- 
cure the coin. The dizziness which most people 
experience in this performance is very temporar}^ 
but rather surprising. A similar result will be 
obtained if the stick is held on the forehead, pointing 
upward, and the performer, looking upward at the 
stick, turns around three or four times. 
/ Knocking a Coin. — As a proof of the value of 
perspective, which we gain by using both eyes, and 
which in large measure we lose when using only one 
eye, the following experiment is of interest. One 
person holds in front of him, balanced on his index 
finger, a small coin. Another tries to knock it off, 
using a pencil, which he holds horizontally; but 
before making the attempt, he must stand eight or 
ten feet away from the coin, close one eye, and then 
walk directly toward it, and with one quick blow 
attempt to dislodge the coin from the finger of the 
holder. Generally the blow falls short of the mark, 
or is directed above or below the coin. Similarly, 



FIG. IJ 





■"^■■l^is^^ 



IG. 19 




FIG. 



FIG. 18. BLIND man's BIFF, FIGS. I9 AND 20. CROSSED FINGERS 



"STUNTS" 125 

a ring may be held between the thumb and fore- 
finger. The " stunt " is to close one eye, approach 
the ring and try to run a pencil through it sideways. 

Nose and Ear. — The old effort of trying to " rub 
the head and pat the stomach," and znce versa, has 
its coimterpart in this trick. One must take hold 
of his nose with his right hand and grasp his right 
ear with the left hand. From this position one must 
grasp his nose with his left hand and his left ear 
with his right hand. To reverse the action quickly 
requires a co-ordination which one does not usually 
possess without practice. 

Leg and Arm Movements. — ^Another difficult 
co-ordination to acquire is the following : One stands 
on his left foot and describes a right circle with his 
right leg, i.e., swings the leg in a circle to the right 
'(in the direction the hands of a clock travel). The 
movement is easily done ; but when he is directed to 
describe with his right hand a large figure 6, and 
at the same time to continue the leg movement, trou- 
ble begins. The leg tends to reverse its direction, in 
rather obstinate fashion, because of the reversed 
co-ordination of leg and arm. 

Crossed Fingers. — ^Another amusing experiment 
in which nerve impulses seem to get tangled is this 
one. The arms are extended, hands crossed, turned 
and placed palms together, with fingers tightly inter- 
laced, as illustrated in Fig. 19. Held in this position, 
the hands are brought toward the chest, and then 



126 SOCIAL GAMES 

turned upward, as in Fig. 20. If now a pencil is 
pointed at any one finger, with the command to 
raise it quickly, the nervous impulse seems to go to 
a finger on the opposite hand, and usually a finger 
on the wrong hand is moved. Different fingers on 
either hand should be designated in rapid succes- 
sion, and the error is apt to be repeated in each case. 
The fingers must not be touched by the pencil because 
the sensation enables one to move the touched 
finger very readily. 

Magic Music— Fig. 21 illustrates the position in 
which a fork may be held on a table and by which 
musical tones seem to emanate from objects near 
by. The performer explains that he can draw forth 
music from a glass of water, or a salt dish, or from 
a neighbor's nose ; or that he can throw the tones up 
in the air. Holding the fork in the left hand, as 
illustrated in the figure, he sharply pinches the tines 
of the fork with his right hand, and quickly touches 
some nearby object, when the music seems to arise 
from the object touched. The trick is caused by 
pressing quickly the tip of the handle of the fork on 
the table, which should be done unobserved. The 
spectators are apt to follow with their eyes the 
movement of the right hand, and fail to notice the 
action of the left. When the fork is pinched there 
is but little sound ; but when the handle touches the 
table the sound is intensified, and its source some- 
times puzzling. Two or three waves of sound may 




FIG. 21 




FIG. 22 



FIG. 21. — MAGIC MUSIC. FIG. 22. — DOG FIGHT 



*STUNTS" 127 

seem to be tossed into the air by the right hand, by 
touching the fork to the table several times in rapid 
succession. The trick is best done when the table 
is covered with a doth; otherwise the touching of 
the 'handle to the bare table would be heard and dis- 
close the trick. 

;Dog Fight — ^A somewhat strenuous contest is 
this one, which generally proves of interest to the 
spectators, if not to the participants. The two con- 
testants get down on " all fours," facing each other. 
A strap or canvas band is placed around the back 
of their heads, as shown in Fig. 22. A line is drawn 
between them, and at the word " Go ! " the tug 
begins. The contest is won when one of the con- 
testants sucdeeds in dragging the other entirely 
across the line. The cheers or *' barks " of the spec- 
tators generally act as incentive to the two who are 
engaged in the " dog fight." Two belts buckled 
together make a good improvised pulling apparatus. 

John Brown's Baby. — ^Almost everybody is 
familiar with the tune, " John Brown's body lies 
a-moldering in the grave." A very ludicrous par- 
ody may be sung by a group, directed by a leader, 
who first tells the audience that " however well John 
Brown may be known in history and song, his baby 
has hitherto escaped public recognition! And so 
we will raise our songs to him. Like other babies, 
he was sometimes afflicted by a cold on his chest; 
and for the relief of the infant, the old household 



128 SOCIAL GAMES 

remedy, camphorated oil, was applied." Together 
they sing the first verse: 

John Brown's baiby had! a cold upon hiis chest, 

John Brown's baby had a cold upon his chest, 

John Brown's baby had a cold upon his chest. 

So they rubbed him with camphorated oil ! 

The second verse is similar, except the word 
" baby " is not spoken; instead, the Indian sign for 
baby is made^ — the right hand placed on the left 
elbow, and the left arm swung to and fro, as if rock- 
ing a baby. The third verse is like the second, except 
that the word '' cold" is not spoken; instead, a little 
cough is given. The fourth verse is like the third, 
but the word " chest " is not sung. The chest is 
tapped with the open hand, instead. The fifth verse, 
same as the fourth ; the word " rubbed " is not 
spoken, but a rubbing movement is made on the chest. 
Sixth verse, same as the fifth, but words " camphor- 
ated oil " are not spoken. A little sniff is given, indi- 
cating odor. 

If the singers are not too convulsed by the ridicu- 
lous movements and progressive dropping of words 
and substitution of signs, the sixth verse may finally 
be completed, to the edification of singers and audi- 
ence alike. 

Say, Have You Heard the Story of Harry? — 
This little illustrated recitation causes great amuse- 
ment, especially when repeated in unison by three 



"STUNTS" 129 

or four people. The words are these : ** Say, have 
you heard the story of Harry? He's just come back 
from the front. They had need of his feats in the 
army; I know it; everybody knows it. Hip, hip, 
hooray ! " The rather senseless words are accom- 
panied by these movements : Say ! (hand placed near 
mouth) have you heard (hand placed back of ear) 
the story of Harry? (hand rubbed on hair). He's 
just (hand on chest) come back (hand behind back) 
from the front (hand on stomach). They had 
need (right hand on left knee) of his feats (right 
hand on left foot) in the army (hand on left arm). 
I (finger pointed to eye) know it; everybody knows 
it (hand on nose). Hip, hip (right hip struck 
twice with right hand) hooray! (right hand held 
above kead). When the movements are done rap- 
idly and correspond to the spoken words the effect 
is very ridiculous. 

Siamese Yell.— The leader of the "yell" ex- 
plains that he will teach it as it was originally given 
in Siam, and the company will give the performance 
in unison. The words are " Qwha tagoo Siam." 
When they are given slowly for a time or two and 
then run together each player will soon realize that 
he is saying : " O, what a goose I am ! " 

The Confusing Coins. — For this little perform- 
ance three coins or similar objects are necessary. 
The leader lays the coins on a table and counts each 
one aloud as he picks them up— one, two, three; 
9 



130 SOCIAL GAMES 

then lays them down again one at a time, counting 
each as before — four, five, six; then picks two of 
them up — seve'n, eight. When he reaches eight, 
there is one coin left on the table. He hands the 
three coins to another person, and asks that he dupli- 
cate the performance. The second person will, in 
all probability, begin to lay the coins down on the 
table, counting each as he lays it down, and takes 
it up again, but is surprised to find that when eight 
is reached, there are two coins on the table, instead 
of one, as was shown by the first performer. (After 
counting eight, there is always one coin left, but 
according to the position of the coins at the start, 
the one left may be in the hand or on the table.) 
Even so simple a trick is often confusing. When 
the coins are handed to the second player his natural 
impulse is to begin counting as he places them down, 
instead of starting with the coins on the table. 

Divesting a Friend — When a person proposes to 
remove the vest of a friend, while he still keeps his 
coat on, it seems an impossible trick ; and yet it may 
be done if the vest is fairly loose and the coat sleeves 
not too tight. The performer stands in front of his 
friend, unbuttons the vest, and loosens the buckle on 
the strap behind. Next, he runs his left hand under 
the! coat, raises the lower end of the back of the 
vest, while with his right hand he grasps the end 
of the vest behind the neck of the person, who holds 
his arms high above his head. The back of the vest 



"STUNTS" 131 

may then be pulled over the head of the subject, and 
it will lie on the upper part of his chest. The next 
step is to raise the lower right end of the vest and 
push it down the right coat sleeve. The operator 
then runs his hand up the coat sleeve, pulls the vest 
down the sleeve, until the armhole is free from the 
subject's hand. The vest is then pushed back 
through the right sleeve of the coat, and into the 
left; and then by introducing the hand into the left 
coat sleeve, the vest may be entirely removed with 
no damage save a few wrinkles. 



PART II 

GROUP DANCES 

By 
BLANCHE M. TRILLING 



INTRODUCTION TO PARTS II 
AND III 

This collection of group dances is the result of 
several years of experimentation with social and play 
hours for various groups of students, both children 
and adults. The book is an attempt to bring together 
and present with simplicity dances that everybody 
can take part in and enjoy. Its purpose will have 
been achieved if it helps restore the true democracy 
of the dance, which was lost when waltz and two- 
step took the place of the quadrille. 

In 1 910, the writer (then a member of the 
teaching staff of the Chicago Normal School) 
assisted Mr. WilHam B. Owen, principal of the 
school, to introduce and conduct at the Parker High 
School in Chicago what he called a " Social Hour." 
Confronted with the necessity of bringing some sort 
of social organization out of a disorganized mass 
of shy and bewildered boys and girls, she found her 
inspiration in certain childish memories of social 
gatherings in the small southern town where her 
youth had been spent. There, at the Christmas 
dances, to which the whole village came, a certain joy- 
ous group-consciousness was gained by dancing a 
Virginia Reel or a Portland Fancy, and by interspers- 
ing the more conventional waltzes and two-steps with 
quadrilles In which everybody took part, and where 

135 



136 GROUP DANCES 

everybody danced with everybody else. So it was 
decided to begin the first social hour with a group 
dance. The boys, lined up along one side of the 
room, were asked to choose partners from among 
the girls clustered opposite. There was an imme- 
diate stampede; every boy made for the nearest 
exit. Watchful teachers pursued and brought them 
back, now decidedly belligerent. At last, however, 
the leader got them to marching, boys in one line 
and girls in another, finally maneuvering the two 
lines so that they marched abreast; each boy had 
acquired a partner, how, he did not know, but he 
was quite willing to continue the march beside her — 
a march that finally ended in a group dance. This 
experience demonstrated the necessity of finding or 
inventing dances which involved continuous group- 
activity, and in which pairing was entirely fortuitous. 
The boys and girls soon lost their self -conscious- 
ness sufficiently to choose partners for themselves 
and to learn new and complicated dances, but they 
continued to find pleasure in dancing for its own 
sake, not for the companionship it created. They 
entered into the spirit of the hour, and the effect of 
the weekly playtime was speedily manifest through- 
out the school. A new feeling of good-fellowship 
grew up; social life was increasingly free from 
petty jealousy and juvenile snobbishness ; the school 
bade fair to approach the democratic ideal of Amer- 
ican educational Institutions. 



INTRODUCTION TO PART II 137 

When, soon after, the writer went to the Uni- 
versity of Wisconsin, this experience prompted her 
to institute a play-hour at the Summer Session of 
that university. The problem seemed at first 
slightly different, for here were mature men and 
women. But, although their modes of expression 
differed from those of the children, their attitude 
was not so different. At first only women came — 
women eager to play, if only they knew how; grad- 
ually men began to drift in, looking on at first, then 
timidly eager to join in. Again were called into 
service dances that involved no choosing of part- 
ners, no knowledge of difficult steps. Soon every- 
body who came was dancing, and more and more 
people were attracted, tmtil larger quarters and more 
leaders were necessary. "Play-hour " was removed 
to the men's gymnasium, and with Dr. Elsom's 
co-operation social games were added to the dances. 
As majiy as four hundred people have been on the 
floor at one time, but the original character of the 
hour has been preserved — a complete lack of self- 
consciousness, and an abandonment to the fun of 
movement and to the joy of finding oneself identified 
with large rhythms. 

To keep such big and heterogeneous assemblages 
active and amused required much more material of a 
very particular kind than was to be had in any 
existing book or books. So, constant searchings 
and adaptations had to be made; dances new and 



1S8 GROUP DANCES 

old were gathered from all sources, cut, added to 
or revised, tried out, and revised once more, until 
a serviceable collection of some size was gathered 
together. Numerous requests for this material, 
especially from teachers who had taken part in the 
play-hour during thq Summer Session and who 
wanted the material for school use, have decided the 
author to publish it with the addition of singing 
games and dances especially suitable for smaller 
children. She feels that the present collection should 
be especially useful to teachers in town and city and 
rural schools, to counselors of summer camps, to 
leaders of community and recreation centers, and, 
indeed, to the leaders of any group in which the 
play-instinct is to be stimulated and satisfied. 

Just a word with regard to the dances them- 
selves and the principles which have determined their 
selection. They are simple, easily executed and 
directed ; they do not require a previous knowledge 
of dancing ; they may be accommodated to small or 
large groups; moreover, as far as possible, those 
dances have been selected in which the entire group 
is active most of the time. Those which have strong 
social qualities have been given the preference, and 
leaders will notice that practically every dance has 
been so arranged that there is either a change of 
partners or, in the case of the group dances, a pro- 
gression of groups, and at each repetition new part- 
ners or groups meet each other and dance together. 



INTRODUCTION TO PART II 139 

This adds interest to the dance, and creates a demo- 
cratic spirit of good-fellowship and informahty. 

While a division has been made between the 
dances for children and for adults, it is merely an 
arbitrary one, intended to serve as a suggestion 
and a working-basis for the leader. The round of 
the child vv^as evolved from the dance of the adult; 
and practically every dance in the collection should 
prove full of interest and enjoyment to both young 
and old. The writer has attempted to make the 
description simple and explicit, has purposely 
avoided all technical terms, and wherever necessary 
has added illustrations to the text. While the book 
ought to be of value to trained workers, it has been 
planned also to meet the needs of the leader who 
lacks technical knowledge. It ought to be possible 
to teach the dances from the descriptions given, with- 
out any supplementary directions. Such a collec- 
tion, it is hoped, will remove difficulties from the 
way of leaders who desire to gain for their com- 
munities the benefits of group-dancing, but who have 
felt themselves inadequately equipped for the task 
of leadership in this direction ; it should greatly sim- 
plify the play-hour and social-hour problem in 
schools and social settlements where space and equip- 
ment are limited ; it should help to bring into many 
communities some of the joy and freedom that 
wholesome play alone can give. 

Blanche M. Trilling. 



140 



GROUP DANCES 




PORTLAND FANCY 
( English ) 

Arranged by C. H. Mills 



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142 GROUP DANCES 

The dance' requires eight persons for each set, 
and as many sets as the room can accommodate may 
dance at one time. 

Step: A skip step is used throughout the dance 
in all except the last figure. 

The music is divided into four parts, A, B, C 
and D. 

Count one, two to a measure. 

Formation: Groups of eight. In each group 
dancers should be in lines of four facing the opposite 
lines, and girls should be on the right of the boys 
(Diagram A). Circles represent the girls; crosses, 
the boys. 

O X O X 
X O X o 

DIAGRAM A. 

Groups of eight should be arranged around the 
room so as to form a large circle (Diagram B. 
Each number represents a group similar to Dia- 
gram A). 




DIAGRAM B. 




FIG. 23 



FIG. 24 



FIGS. 23 AND 24. PORTLAND FANCVT 



PORTLAND FANCY 143 

I. Circle Left 

Each group of eight joins hands and forms a 
small circle. Take sixteen skip steps, making one 
full circle to the left, and finish in first formation of 
two lines (Fig. 23). 8 meas. 

'Music A. 

II. Down the Center and Back 

Head girl and boy in each set (those nearest the 
center of the room) join hands and take four slides 
down the aisle made by the other three couples and 
four shdes back to places. 4 meas. 

Foot boy and girl join hands and take four slides 
up the aisle and return to places. 4 meas. 

Music A repeated. 

III. Grand Right and Left 

Partners face. Give right hand to partner, pass 
partner and give left hand to next person. Con- 
tinue around circle giving right and left hands alter- 
nately to each person until you meet your own 
partner. Use four counts for each person. 16 meas. 
Music B and repeat. 

IV. Ladies Change 

The girls who are diagonally across from each 
other change places, touching right hands as they 
pass in the center (Fig. 24). When the girl reaches 
the opposite side she joins left hands with her new 
partner who turns her once around. 4 meas. 



144 GROUP DANCES 

Girls return tO' places touching right hands as 
they cross in the center, then join left hands with 
partners who turn them once around. 4 meas. 

Music C. 

Repeat Figure IV. 8 meas. 

Music C repeated. 

V. Forward and Back 

Lines of four with joined hands take three walk- 
ing steps forward and make a " bob " courtesy 
(touch the right toe behind left foot and bend both 
knees). Take three walking steps back to place 
and courtesy. 4 meas. 

Walk forward dropping hands as lines meet. 
Each person must pass tO' the right of the person 
he meets. Use seven steps for this figure, making 
a " bob " courtesy on the eighth count as a new 
group is met. 4 meas. 

Music D. 

Dance is now repeated from the beginning with 
the new group. 

Dance may be repeated as often as desired, start- 
ing with a new group each time. 



146 



GROUP DANCES 



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While the dance is full of interest for adults, it 
is so simple that it may easily be taught to children 
in the primary grades. 

Formation: Any number of couples may take 
part. Dancers should be arranged in groups of four 
around the room thus: 



X O 

O X 

Couples should be numbered alternately one, two. 

Partners are opposite and not side by side, as 
is usually the case. The person at the side of the 
dancer is spoken of as the corner. 

Music is divided into three parts. A, B and C. 

Count one, two to a measure. 



148 GROUP DANCES 

I, Hand-Shaking 

Partners join right hands, and at the same time 

swing hands upward (one, two). i meas. 

Make downward movement of hand (one, two). 

1 meas. 
Partners shake left hands in the same manner. 

2 meas. 
Repeat the figure with corner. 4 meas. 
Music A. 

The hand-shaking should be vigorous; in fact 
the entire dance is a vigorous and Hvely one. 

Ha. Hand-Clapping 

Clap both hands together (one) and clap right 
hand with partner (two). i meas. 

Clap both hands together and clap left hand 
with partner. i meas. 

Clap both hands together and clap both hands 
with partner. i meas. 

Lean away from comer and clap hands vigor- 
ously three times. i meas. 

lib. Step-Hop. 

Place both hands on hips; step on right foot 
(one), hop on right foot, extending left foot (two). 

I meas. 
Repeat the same, alternately left, right, left. 

3 meas. 
Music A repeated. 



FRENCH REEL 149 

III. Eight Hands Round 

The two couples who are facing join hands mak- 
ing a circle of four (Fig. 25). Walk around for 
eight steps to the left, taking two steps to a measure, 
and stamp on the eighth step. 4 meas. 

Turn, take eight walking steps, returning to 
place, and stamp on the eighth step. 4 meas. 

Music B. 

IV. 

Repeat Ila and Hb. 
Music B repeated. 

V. Grand Right and Left 

Give right hand to person you are facing (part- 
ner) and change places with four walking steps. 

2 meas. 

Comers are once more side by side, but in oppo- 
site places. 

Give left hand to corner and change places with 
four walking steps. 2 meas. 

Give right hand to partner and change places 
with four walking steps. 2 meas. 

Give left hand to comer and return to original 
place with four walking steps. 2 meas. 

Music C. 

In this figure each dancer should be careful to 
walk a perfect square. 



150 GROUP DANCES 

VI. Arches and Change 

Dancers should form a circle as in Fig. III. 
Walk around to the left eight steps and stamp on 
the eighth. This should bring dancers back to ori- 
ginal places. 4 meas. 

Couple I join inside hands and forni ani arch. 
Both couples walk forward for eight steps, with a 
stamp on the eighth, Couple 2 passing under the arch 
made by Couple i . 4 nieas. 

Music C repeated. 

Dance is now repeated from the beginning with 
the new couple. 

Dance may be repeated as often as desired, 
always starting dance with a new couple. 



152 



GROUP DANCES 



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This is an excellent dance to be used at social 
centers or at entertainments where the majority of 
the guests are strangers to each other, and it is desir- 
able to break up the stiffness and formality of the 
group. This dance will furnish a quick medium for 
introducing persons to each other, and by the time 
it has been danced twice all traces o^f formality will 
have disappeared. 

The music is divided into two parts, A and B. 

Coimt one, two to a measure. 

Formation : There must be an uneven number of 
persons in each set. Any number may take part, 
but a circle ranging from 21 to 31 persons is the most 
convenient number to direct. 

One person (the odd one) stands in the center of 
the circle. The other dancers form a single circle, 
partners facing each other. 



154 GROUP DANCES 

I, 

The dancers stand in place. Meas. i 

Take three stamps, right, left, right. Meas. 2 
Stand in place. Meas. 3 

Clap own hands three times. Meas. 4 

Shake right hand with partner three times. 

Meas. 5 
Shake left hand with partner three times. 

Meas. 6 
Stamp right foot, stamp left foot. Meas. 7 

Take three light steps, turning right, and face 
out, all having backs toward center of circle. 

Meas. 8 
Music A. 



II 



All join hands, forming a single circle, facing 
away from center of circle. 

Take four slides to the right, clockwise. 2 meas. 

All drop hands, face toward center of circle, join 
hands and take four slides left, clockwise. 2 meas. 

Repeat the above, taking four slides right, facing 
out from circle, and four slides left, all facing center 
of circle. 4 meas. 

All drop hands and run to find a new partner. 
At this time the person in the center of the circle 
finds a partner. The person who is now left with- 



CmCLE DANCE 155 

out a partner remains in the center. The other 
dancers form a single circle and the dance is repeated 
from the beginning. 

Music B. 

While the new partner is being found the musi- 
cian plays the last eight bars of Music B. 

Note : Much of the success of this dance 
depends upon the instructor, who must insist that 
all persons find new partners at the end of each 
dance. It should also be noted that in Part II all 
of the sliding is done clockwise. 



156 



GROUP DANCES 



VINEYARD DANCE 

(French) 



Arranged by M. L. Ayer 







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This dance is an occupation dance and represents 
the planting of the grape-vine, the picking of the 
grapes and finally the merrymaking at the end of 
the day's work. 

Formation : In a single circle, all facing the cen- 
ter, girl on boy's right, six to ten couples, to a circle. 
Music is divided into three parts. A, B and C. Each 
measure is counted one, two, three and four. 

I. A Planting the Vine 
Pantomime: Each dancer places the left hand on 
hip, stoops down and with the right hand imitates 
motion of digging up the earth (one, two). Turn 
the hand over, palm down, and smooth the earth 
(three, four). i meas. 



158 GROUP DANCES 

All stand up, place both hands on hips and take 
three stamps in place— right, left, right. i meas. 

Repeat all the above three times, the last time 
making a complete turn to the right on the three 
stamps. 6 meas. 

Music A. 

I. B Chorus. 

All join hands in a circle and take eight slides 
to the left and eight slides back to the right. 

8 meas. 

Music B. 

Partners join right hands, left hands raised at 
the side. Take eight light skip steps, turning around 
each other clockwise. 4 meas. 

Join left hands and take eight light skip steps in 
the opposite direction. 4 meas. 

Music C. 

Repeat the skip steps with the right hands joined, 
taking very high steps and bringing the foot firmly- 
down. 4 meas. 

Repeat high skip step, with left hands joined. 

4 meas. 

Music C repeated. 

II. Picking the Grapes 
Pantomime : Curve the* left arm to imitate a bas- 
ket. With right hand reach up high and pick the 
grapes (one, two). 

Place the grapes in the basket (three, four). 

I meas. 




FIG. 26 




FIG. 27 



FIGS. 26 AND 27. — VINEYARD DANCE 



VINEYARD DANCE 159 

Take three stamps in place — right, left, right. 

I meas. 

Repeat all the above three times. The last time 
drop graipes into mouth and turn completely around 
on the three stamps. 6 meas. 

Music A. 

Chorus: Repeat i. B. 

III. The Merry-making 

Give right hand to partner. Skip around the 
circle with the " Grand right and left," girls mov- 
ing clockwise, boys counter-clockwise. Each person 
should go around the circle twice. On meeting part- 
ner the second time form a circle, with boys facing 
center, girls having backs to center. Boy clasps part- 
ner's right hand with his left hand (Fig. 26). The 
leader of the group drops the hand of the girl on 
his left and winds the circlei into a, concentric design 
and then unwinds it, in this way making the " grape- 
vine" (Fig. 2y). 

Music : Play B, then C ; repeat as often as neces- 
sary until end of the dance. 

Note : " Grand right and left " is danced in the 
following manner : Each dancer gives his right hand 
to his partner, passes on to the next dancer and gives 
her his left hand, at the same time dropping his 
partner's right hand. Continue around the circle 
giving the right and left hands alternately to each 
person. Boys will move around the circle counter- 
clpckwise ; girls move clockwise. 



160 



GROUP DANCES 



POP GOES THE WEASEL 






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POP GOES THE WEASEL 161 

Formation: Form in sets of three couples each. 

Dancers should stand in two parallel lines facing 
each other. 

Lines should be about six feet apart. When 
facing head of room girls should be on right of 
boys (Diagram A). 



Foot 




O X 


X=Boy 


O X 


Or^Girl 


O X 




Head 






DIAGRAM A. 



Head boy and girl face head of room. Turn and 
each pass outside of own line, taking eight skips 
toward foot of set. (Girl goes outside of girl's 
line, boy outside of boy's line.) Return with eight 
skips to places. 8 meas. 

Head boy and girl join hands with arms 
extended, take eight slides down center of lines and 
eight slides back to place. 8 meas. 

II 

The head couple join hands with the second 
girl, forming a circle of three. In this position all 



162 GROUP DANCES 

skip to the left for 12 counts. The dancers must so 
time these skip steps that at the end of count 12 
the second girl is facing her own place. The head 
couple now raise their joined hands and the second 
girl pops under arch to place (Fig. 28). The sec- 
ond girl passes under to place on Measures 7 and 8 
as the music plays " Pop Goes the Weasel." 

On the accented. note of Measure 7, as the girl 
pops under to place, all the other dancers clap hands 
vigorously. 8 meas. 

The first couple now repeats the figure with sec- 
ond boy. 8 meas. 

The first couple repeats the same figure with 
third girl and boy. 16 meas. 

Note: In order to prevent dizziness, circles 
should skip to the left when dancing with the girl 
and to the right when dancing with the boy. 

Ill 

The head couple is now at the foot of the set 
All join hands, making a circle of six, and skip one 
full circle to the left. 8 meas. 

The first couple (now at the foot) joins both 
hands and takes eight slides up the center and eight 
slides back. 8 meas. 

Partners take four skip steps advancing toward 
each other, join right hands and take four skips 
turning (Fig. 29). Join left hands and take four 
skip steps, turning in the opposite direction. Take 







FIG. 29 



FIGS. 28 AND 29. — POP GOES THE WEASEL 



POP GOES THE WEASEL 163 

four skip steps back to place, face partner and make 
peasant courtesy. 8 meas. 

Dance is now repeated from the beginning, start- 
ing with the second couple, which is now at the head. 

Dance is completed when all couples have 
reached their original places. 

Music is played straight through, repeating as 
often as necessary. 



164 



GROUP DANCES 



RING DANCE 

(Swedish) 




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The music is divided into three parts, A, B 
and C. 

Count one, two to a measure. 

Play straight through and then repeat B for 
finish. 

Formation : The dancers form in a double circle, 
partners standing side by side with inside hands 
joined, outside hands on hips. All should be facing 
ready to move clockwise around the circle. Number 
One is on the left, Number Two on the right. If 
the group which is dancing consists of girls and 
boys, the girl should be on the boy's right, or on the 
inside of the circle. 



166 GROUP DANCES 

I. Walking and Skipping 

Partners join inside hands, take eight walking 
steps in the line of direction, hands swinging easily. 

4 meas. 
Take eight skipping steps in the line of direction. 

4 meas. 
Music A. 

II. Circle Left and Right 

All face center and join hands, forming a single 
circle. 

Take eight slides to the left and eight slides to 
the right. 8 meas. 

Music B. 

III. Sliding 

Still remaining in a single circle, partners face 
each other (Fig. 30). Number One (boy) will have 
left side toward center of circle, and Number Two 
(girl) will have right side toward center of circle. 
All take four slides to the left. This will take the boy 
toward center of circle, girl away from center. 

2 meas. 

Take four slides, returning to place. 2 meas. 

All take four slides to the right, girl sliding 
toward center of circle, boy away from center. 

2 meas. 

Take four slides, returning to place. 2 meas. 

Music C. 




FIG. 30 



FIG. 31 



FIGS. 30 AND 31. RING DANCE 



RING DANCE 167 

IV. Leap and Change 

Link, right arm with partner, left hand should 
be held high (Fig. 31). Take eight leaping steps, 
circling around partner, leaping first on left foot. 

4 meas. 

Link left arm with partner, right hand held high, 
take six leaping steps circling around partner in 
opposite direction, leaping first on left foot. On 
the seventh and eighth counts partners unlink arms 
and progress to new partners. Boys will progress 
counter-clockwise, girls clockwise. 4 meas. 

Music B. 

At the end of this figure dancers should imme- 
diately fall into place by the side of new partners, 
being careful that Number One (boy) is on the 
outside of the circle, and Number Two (girl) is on 
the inside. 

Dance may be repeated as often as desired, with 
a new partner each time. 



168 



GROUP DANCES 



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Formation: In groups of four, forming a circle 
around the room. Each group consists of two 
couples facing each other, thus : 

O X 
X o 

The girl is on the right-hand side of the boy. 
Music is divided intoi three parts. A, B and C. 
Play straight through, and then repeat A and B. 
Count one, two to a measure. 

I. Slide and Circle 

Partners join inside hands. All slide four slides 
to the left. This means that couples will slide in 
opposite direction from the couple they are facing. 
One couple slides toward center of circle, the other 
couple away from center. 2 meas. 



170 GROUP DANCES 

Take four slides, returning to places. 2 meas. 

The two couples, who are facing, join hands to 
make a circle of four. Take eight skipping steps to 
the left and finish in original places. 4 meas. 

Music A. 

II. Forward and How Do You Do? 

With inside hands joined, partners walk forward 
three steps toward opposite couple, and make a 
" bob " courtesy on fourth count. 2 meas. 

Return to place with three walking steps back- 
ward and make a " bob " courtesy. 2 meas. 

Take four walking steps forward. 2 meas. 

Join right hand with person opposite (one) 
and make downward movement of hands (two) 
(Fig. 32). 

Keeping right hands joined, join left hand with 
person opposite (one) and make downward move- 
ment of hands (two). 

During this 'hand-shaking the dancers should all 
say "How Do You Do?" out loud. The words 
"How Do" should come with the shaking of the 
right hands, "You Do" with the shaking of the 
left hands. 2 meas. 

Music B. 

III. All Slide Center 

With both hands still clasped with opposite per- 
son, all slide eight slides toward center of room. 

4 meas. 




FIG. 32 



FIG. 33 



FIGS. 32 AND 2>3- — HOW DO YOU DO? 



HOW DO YOU DO? 171 

Take eight slides, returning to place. 4 nieas. 
Music C. 

IV. Wind-mill 

Join right hands with the person diagonally 
opposite. This means that in each group the boys 
of the couple will join right 'hands, and the girls will 
join right hands, the joined hands of the girls com- 
ing under those of the boys (Fig. 33) . In this posi- 
tion skip around eight steps clockwise. 4 meas. 

Join left hands and skip around eight steps back 
to place. 4 meas. 

Music A, 

V. Forward and Pass 

Join inside 'hands with partner, take three walk- 
ing steps forward toward opposite couple and make 
a " bob " courtesy. 2 meas. 

Take three walking steps back to place and make 
courtesy. 2 meas. 

Take four walking steps forward, drop partner's 
hand, and, with three more steps, couples who are 
facing pass each other. 

Each person should pass to the right of the per- 
son he is facing. This brings couples facing new 
couples, and a " bob " courtesy finishes the figure. 

4 meas. 

Dance is now repeated with new couple. 



172 



GROUP DANCES 



WE WON'T GO HOME TILL MORNING 
( English ) 

Arranged by M. L. Ayer 



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WE WON'T GO HOME TILL MORNING 173 

Formation: In two parallel lines facing, lines 
about six feet apart. Girls in one line, boys in the 
opposite one. As the couples face the head of the 
room the girl should be on the boy's right. Couples 
should be numbered alternately i, 2, commencing 
with the head couple. Six or eight couples make a 
convenient number for each set, though if necessary 
a set may be composed of more or less couples as 
may be determined by the total number of dancers. 
Each set should contain an even number of couples. 
The music is divided into two parts, A and B. 

Count one, two to a measure. 

I. Arches 

The dancers in each line join hands, and with 
three walking steps the lines advance toward each 
other and make a " bob " courtesy on the fourth 
count. Both lines retire with three steps and 
courtesy. 4 meas. 

iWith eight walking steps, boys and girls cross 
over to opposite sides and face partners. In this 
step boys keep hands joined and raise them to form 
an arch. Girls pass under arches to the right of 
partner. 4 meas. 

Music A. 



174 GROUP DANCES 

Repeat entire figure, girls making arches and 
boys passing under. 
Music A repeated. 

II. Clapping and Changing 

Each dancer leans toward the left with left toe 
pointed and claps hands three times. 2 meas. 

All lean toward right, point right toe and clap 
hands three times. 2 meas. 

The head couple joins both hands, holding arms 
extended shoulder high, takes eight slides down 
between the two lines and eight slides back to place. 

8 meas. 

Music B. 

Repeat the clapping left and right. 4 meas. 

All couples join right hands with partners. Take 
eight skip steps, pulling away from center of line 
and eight skip steps back toward the center. 8 meas. 

Music B repeated. 

In returning to place, the even couples all 
advance one couple and finish above the odd couples. 
The odd couples always skip toward the boys* side 
and progress down the line. Even couples skip 
toward the girls' side and always progress up the 
line (Diagrams A and B). D>iagram A shows 
original formation — ^Diagram B the formation after 
the first change. 



WE WONT GO HOME TILL MORNING 175 



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After couples have arrived at either the head 
or the foot of the line, they remain there through one 
change and then start dancing again, skipping in the 
opposite direction from the one originally taken. If 
the following rules are observed there should be no 
difficulty in teaching " changing." 

1. All even, couples progress up the line; all odd 
couples down the line. 

2. Even couples skip toward the girls' side; odd 
couples toward the boys' side. 

3. When a couple reaches either the head or 
the foot of the line, they remain through one change, 
and then progress in the opposite direction. This 
means that a couple becomes an odd couple when 
starting down from the head of the line, and an 
even couple when starting up from the foot of the 
line. 

4. During the first change all couples will change 
places. The second time only the four central 
couples will change, and the head and foot couples 
will remain in place. The third time all will change, 
and so on. 

Dance is completed Xvihen original head and 
foot couples have reached the opfK>site end. 



176 



GROUP DANCES 




VIRGINIA REEL 

Arranged by C. H. Mills 

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178 GROUP DANCES 

Two descriptions are given of the Virginia Reel. 
The one which follows is the authentic reel, and in 
England is called the Sir Roger de Coverley. The 
second description is an adaptation, and is particu- 
larly to be recommended for use in the gymnasium, 
or for large groups of dancers, as all members of the 
set are dancing all the time, and it is simpler to 
teach. It is also an exceedingly good dance for 
small children. 

Formation : Two parallel lines facing, about six 
feet apart. Girls in one line, boys in the opposite 
one. As the couples face the head of the room, girls 
should be on the boys' right. Six couples make a 
convenient number for a set, though there is no 
limit to the number that may take part. 

Music is divided into three parts. A, B and C. 

Count one, two to a measure. 

Couples should be numbered consecutively from 
the head of the line, thus : i, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6. 

Note : In each section of the first figure it is to 
be understood that girl of Couple i and boy of 
Couple 6 lead or " set " the figure, and boy of 
Couple I and girl of Couple 6 repeat it. 



(a) Girl i and Boy 6 advance four steps toward 

each other, bow and retire to places. 4 meas. 

Girl 6 and Boy i repeat. 4 meas. 



VIRGINIA REEL 179 

(b) Girl I and Boy 6 advance, join right hands, 
turn once around and return to places. 4 meas. 

Girl 6 and Boy i repeat. 4 meas. 

(c) Girl I and Boy 6 advance, join left hands, 
turn once around and return to places. 4 rneas. 

Girl 6 and Boy i repeat. 4 meas. 

(d) Girl I and Boy 6 advance, join both hands, 
turn once around and return to places. 4 meas. 

Girl 6 and Boy i repeat. 4 meas. 

(e) Girl i and Boy 6 advance, pass each other 
back to back, right shoulders touching first and retire 
to places. 4 meas. 

Girl 6 and Boy i repeat. 4 meas. 

(/) Repeat (e), touching left shoulders first. 

8 meas. 

II 

Head couple joins hands, arms extended shoulder 

high, slides down center eight counts and slides 

eight counts back to place. 8 meas. 

Ill The Reel 

The head couple links right arms, turns once 
and a half around, unlinks arms and Boy i links 
left arm with Girl 2, while Girl i links left arm with 
Boy 2, and both couples turn. 

Partners again link right arms and turn; link left 
arms with Couple 3 and turn. This is continued 
down the entire line. Partners turn each other with 



180 GROUP DANCES 

right arms and turn each succeeding couple with 
left arms. 

IV 

Couple I joins both hands and slides tO' the head 
O'f set; Couple i drops hands and all couples face 
forward. 

Couple I divides, Girl i leading down outside of 
the girls' line followed by all the girls. Boy i leads 
outside of the boys' line followed by all the boys. 
All the dancers clap hands during this counter-march. 
On reaching the end of the line Couple i joins 
hands, forming an arch. All the other couples pass 
under to places. Couple 2 are now the head couple 
and Couple i the end couple. 

Repeat the dance until all couples have returned 
to their original places. 

Note : Play music A and B and repeat as often 
as necessary for Figure T. Play music C and repeat 
as often as necessary for Figures II, III and IV. 



VIRGINIA REEL 181 

VIRGINIA REEL II 

This description of the Reel is especially recom- 
mended for use in the gymnasium, for children, or 
for teaching to large groups of persons, either chil- 
dren or adults. It is simple, easily taught, and all 
the dancers are active through the entire dance. The 
objection to the Virginia Reel as it is usually danced 
is that most of the time only the head and foot 
couples are active. 

A skipping step is used throughout the dance. 

The music is divided into three parts, A, B and C. 

Each measure should be counted one, two. 

Formation: Two parallel lines about six feet 
apart, facing each other. Six couples make a con- 
venient number for a set, though more may be used 
if necessary. 

I 

Dancers in each line join hands and with four 
skipping steps the two lines advance toward each 
other. 2 meas. 

With four skipping steps the lines retire to place. 

2 meas. 

Repeat the above. 4 meas. 

Music A. 

II 

Partners skip toward each other, join right 
hands, turn once aroimd and return to places. 

Skip forward, join left hands, turn once around 
and return to places. 8 meas. 

Music A. 



182 GROUP DANCES 

III 

Partners skip forward, pass each other back to 
back and retire to places, right shoulders touching 
first. 4 meas. 

Partners skip forward, pass each other back to 
back and retire to places, left shoulders touching 
first. 4 meas. 

Music B. 

IV 

Partners take four skipping steps, advancing 
toward each other, join both hands with partner, 
arms extended shoulder high, and take four slides 
toward head of line, four slides toward foot of line, 
four skipping steps back to place. 8 meas. 

Music B. 

V 

Head boy and girl lead off toward foot of line. 
Boy passes outside of boys' line, followed by all the 
other boys. Girl passes outside of girls' line, fol- 
lowed by all the other girls. On reaching the foot 
of line all join hands and skip back to places. All 
couples except the head couple now join both hands, 
and raise arms to form arches. Head couple skips 
under arches to the foot of line. i6 meas. 

Music C. 

Dance is now repeated with second couple at the 
head of line. 

Dance is completed when all couples have 
regained their original places. 



GROUP DANCES 183 

Note: Sometimes for variety and also to give 
dancers an opportunity to rest, as the dance is quite 
strenuous, a quick walking step may be used for this 
last figure in place of the skip step. When the walk- 
ing step is used, dancers should clap hands in time 
with the music during the counter-march. 



184 



GROUP DANCES 



COUNTRY DANCE 




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COUNTRY DANCE 185 

Formation: Each set consists of eight dancers. 
The dancers should be arranged in two Hnes of four 
each, the hnes facing each other. Girls should be 
on the right side of boys. In each group the lines 
should be numbered i and 2 (Diagram A). The 
groups should be arranged around the room to form 
a large circle. 

1. O X O X X— Boy 

2. X O X O O— Girl 

Music is divided into two parts, A and B. 



The dancers in Line i join hands and take four 
skip steps forward and four skip steps back to place. 
At the same time Line 2 joins hands and takes four 
slides to the left and four slides back to place. 

4 meas. 

Repeat the above, but Line i takes four slides 
to the left and four slides back to place while Line 2 
skips forward four steps and back to place. 4 meas. 

Music A. 

II 

Couples join right hands across with couples they 
are facing, forming a star (Fig. 33). All skip 
around clockwise 8 counts. 4 meas. 

Join left hands across and skip counter-clockwise, 
returning to place. 4 meas. 

Music B. 



186 GROUP DANCES 

III 

The eight dancers in the group join hands, form- 
ing a circle, and take eight slides to the left and 
eight slides to the right. Finish in original posi- 
tion of two lines facing each other. 8 meas. 

iMusic A. 

IV 

Dancers in each line join hands, take three walk- 
ing steps forward and make a "bob" courtesy. 
Take three walking steps back to place and courtesy. 

4 meas. 

Walk forward, dropping hands as lines meet. 
Each person must pass to the right of the person he 
meets. Use seven steps for this figure, making a 
" bob " courtesy on the eighth count as a new group 
is met. 4 meas. 

Music B. 

Dance is now repeated from the beginning. 
Dance may be repeated as often as desired, each time 
with a new group. 



188 



GROUP DANCES 



CSCHBOGAR 
( Hungarian ) 



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CSCHBOGAR 189 

Any number may dance, but if there is a large 
group to be directed, it is best to have only eight or 
ten couples in each circle. 

Formation: In couples forming a single circle 
facing the center, girls on the right of boys. 

Music is divided into two parts, A and B. 

Count one, two to a measure. 



All join hands, forming a circle, and take eight 
slides to the left. 4 meas. 

Take eight slides right. 4 meas. 

Music A. 

Beginning with the left foot, walk forward three 
steps toward center of circle and stamp vigorously 
on the fourth count. 2 meas. 

Take three steps backward to place and stamp 
on the fourth count. 2 meas. 

As dancers move toward center of circle arms 
should swing forward and upward. As they move 
away from center, arms should swing downward 
and backward. 

Partners face each other, and linking each other's 
right arms raise left arms slightly curved over heads. 
In this position take four step-hops, turning in place 
(Fig. 34). 4 meas. 

Music A repeated. 



190 GROUP DANCES 

II 

Partners join both hands, arms extended 
shoulder high, and stand so that the boy has his left 
shoulder toward the center of circle, girl her right 
(Fig. 3'5). The step is described for the boy; girl 
takes the same step beginning with the right foot. 
Slide toward the center with the left foot, and 
at the same time bend the body well over to the left 
(one). Bring the right foot up to the left foot and 
raise the body (two). i meas. 

Repeat three times, moving toward center of 
circle. 3 meas. 

Repeat, taking four steps away from center of 
circle, bending body in opposite direction. 4 meas. 

Music B. 

Take two of the same steps toward center. 

2 meas. 

Take two steps away from, center. 2 meas. 

Take the position described for the turn in I 
and turn with four step-hops. 4 meas. 

Music B repeated. 

Dance may be repeated as often as desired. 



192 



GROUP DANCES 



SWEDISH CLAP DANCE 
Allegro. (J = 96) 

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SWEDISH CLAP DANCE 193 

Formation: In couples forming a circle around 
the room. Girl on boy's right. Circle moves clock- 
wise aroujid the room. Any number of couples may 
take part. The steps which are referred toi in the 
dance are executed as follows : 

A. Polka Step 

Step forward on the right foot (one). 
Bring the left foot up to the right foot (and). 
Step forward on the right foot (two). 
Hop on the right foot (and). 

The step should be executed very lightly and 
high on the toes. 

B. Heel and Toe Polka 

Place the right heel forward, toes raised. 

At the same time lean slightly backward (one, 
and). 

Sway the body forward and place the right toe 
back (two and). i meas. 

Polka step forward. i meas. 

Music is divided into two parts, A and B. 
Count one and two and to a measure. 

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Partners join inside hands, boy starts with left 
foot, girl with right. One polka step forward, part- 
ners turning toward each other and swinging joined 
hands backward and upward. i meas. 



194 GROUP DANCES 

One polka step forward, partners turning away 
from each other, and swing arms forward and 
upward. i meas. 

Take six more polka steps alternately left and 
right. 6 meas. 

Music A. 

lb 

Partners dance heel and toe polka four times. 

8 meas. 
Music A repeated. 

Ila 

Dancers stop and face each other; girls place 
hands on hips, boys fold arms in front of chest. 

1. Girls make a peasant courtesy by placing right 
foot behind and bending both knees. At the same 
time boys make a stiff bow. i meas. 

2. All clap own hands three times. i meas. 

3. Repeat bowing and clapping. 2 meas. 

4. Partners strike right hands together and clap 
own hands once. i meas. 

•5. Strike left hands together and clap own hands 
once. I meas. 

6. Take two stamps, making a complete turn to 
the left. I meas. 

7. Take three vigorous stamps in place, facing 
each other. i meas. 

Music B. 



SWEDISH CLAP DANCE 



195 



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Repeat i of Ha. 

Shake the right forefinger at partner 

Repeat i of Ha. 

Shake left forefinger at partner. 

Repeat 4, 5, 6, 7 of Ha. 

At the end of the dance, boys all step back one 
couple and repeat the dance with the girl just behind 
them. 

Music B repeated. 



I meas. 
I meas. 
I meas. 
I meas. 
4 meas. 



196 



GROUP DANCES 



BEAN PORRIDGE 




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Formation : Double circle around the room, part- 
ners facing, girls on the inside with backs to center 
of circle. Music is divided into three parts, A, B 
and C. 

Count one and two and to a measure. 



The hand-clapping in Part I should accompany 
the words of the old nursery rhyme as follows : 

Bean porridge hot 

Clap hands against thighs (one). 
Clap own hands together (and). 
Gap both hands with partner (two and). 



Bean porridge cold 

Repeat above. 



I meas. 



I meas. 



198 GROUP DANCES 

Bean porridge in the pot 

Clap hands against thighs (one). 

Clap own hands together (and). 

Clap right hand with partner (two). 

Clap own hands together (and). i meas. 

Nine days old. 
Clap left hand with partner (one). 
Clap own hands together (and). 
Clap both hands with partner (two and). 

I meas. 

Some like it hot, 

Some like it cold, 

Some like it in the pot, 

Nine days old. 

Repeat the motions described above for the first 
verse. 4 meas. 

Music A. 

II. 

Partners join right hands, and commencing with 
the left foot take three little running steps left, right, 
left, and hop on the left foot. Repeat, beginning 
with the right foot; while taking this step partners 
change places. 2 meas. 

Partners now stand facing each other, clap own 
hands together three times. i meas. 

Stamp right, left, right. i meas. 

Join left hands and repeat the above, returning 
to places. 4 nieas. 

Music B. 



BEAN PORRroGE 199 

III. 

Partners join both hands, extend them to the 
side, shoulder high, and take four gUde polkas, going 
around the room clockwise. 8 meas. 

Music C. 

Note : The glide polka is danced in the following 
manner; the description is for the boy; the girl's part 
is the same, starting with the right foot : 

Slide the left foot to the side (one). ' 

Close the right foot to the left (and). 

Repeat. i meas. 

Take three little steps left, right, left, turning 
half-way around, partners facing in opposite 
directions. i meas. 



200 



GROUP DANCES 



BARN DANCE FOR THREE* 
Tempo di schoUiache 

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Published by The Walter Rolfe Music Co., Ramford Falls, Maine. Special 
arrangement has been made with the author for the use of same. 



BARN DANCE FOR THREE 



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BARN DANCE FOR THREE 



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While the dance is a little more complicated than 
most of the dances in the collection, its figures are 
full of interest, and a competent teacher should have 
no difficulty in teaching it to a group of persons who 
are not very skilled in dancing, and v^ho would like 
to attempt a dance of a little more advanced type. 

Music : Play the music as indicated, repeating as 
often as is necessary. 



BARN DANCE FOR THREE 203 

Steps: The schottische step and the step-hop 
referred to are described in the " Circle Barn 
Dance " on page 211. 

Formation: Groups of three around the room. 
If boys and girls are dancing, each group should con- 
sist of one boy and two girls, the boy being the leader 
of the group. 

The boy is in front with arms folded across 
chest. The first girl is just behind the boy with her 
hands on his shoulders, the second girl just behind 
the first girl with hands on her shoulders (Fig. 36). 



Take one schottische step diagonally forward 
right, and one schottische step diagonally forward 
left. 2 meas. 

Take four step-hops right, left, right, left. 

2 meas. 

Repeat the above, and at the first step-hop the 
boy claps both hands vigorously together and 
stretches out his arms to the side, shoulder high. 
At the same time Girl i steps to boy's left side while 
Girl 2 steps to his right. Boy takes inside hands 
of both girls and on the third and fourth step-hops, 
both girls turn toward boy and swing a complete 
turn under own arms. 4 meas. 

11. 

Groups are now three abreast with boy in center 
'(Fig. 37). 



204 GHOUP DANCES 

Schottische forward, right and left. 2 meas. 

During the four step-hops the girl on the left 
crosses over in front oif boy, passing under the raised 
arms oi boy and girl on right. The girl on the 
right is at the same time crossing over to the oppo- 
site side and the boy turns under his own right arm. 
All are now facing in the opposite direction. Do not 
drop hands during the turning. 2 meas. 

Repeat entire step, facing about in original 
direction. 4 nieas. 

III. 

In lines of three abreast, schottische right and 
left. 2 meas. 

On the first two step'-hops Girl i (on boy's left) 
passes under joined arms of Boy and Girl 2, while 
Girl 2 also crosses over. Both should now be facing 
the boy, who has his hands crossed in front of him, 
the left hand under the right (Fig 38) . 

On the third and fourth step-hops, girls move 
backward, pulling boy toward them. 2 meas. 

Schottische right and left, boy moving backward 
and pulling girls forward. 2 meas. 

On the four step-hops boy raises arms, and girls 
return to places and turn under their own arms. 

2 meas. 

IV 

In the first part of this step, boy drops girls' 
hands and folds arms across his chest. He takes one 



G. 38 




FIGS. 36, 37, 38 AND 39. — BARN DANCE FOR THREE 



BARN DANCE FOR THREE 205 

schottische step right, and one left, facing girls. At 
the same time girls face each other in front of boy, 
join right hands and change places with one schot- 
tische step. right, join left hands, and return to places 
with one schottische step left. 2 meas. 

The three form a circle by placing hands on 
each other's shoulders, all facing center (Fig. 39). 
In this position take four step^hops, making a half- 
circle, and finish with all in opposite places from 
where they started. 2 meas. 

Drop hands and repeat entire figure from the 
beginning. This brings the boy back facing in 
original direction and on the last step-hop he passes 
under the joined arms O'f Girls i and 2. 4 meas. 

A^ll immediately form into the first position with 
Girl I just behind boy, and Girl 2 at the rear (Fig. 
^6) . Repeat dance from the beginning. 



206 



GROUP DANCES 



DANCING ON THE GREEN* 
Tempo di schottische 





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DANCING ON THE GREEN 



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GEOUP DANCES 



DANCING ON THE GREEN 




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Barn dance for four. 

Music : Play the music as indicated, repeating as 
often as is necessary. 

Steps: The schottische step and the step-hop 
referred to are described in the Circle Bam D'ance, 
page 211. 

Formation : Each group consists of two couples. 
Couple I is facing forward, partners having inside 
hands joined. Couple 2 is just behind Couple i, 
facing forward, partners having inside hands 
joined. Couple i reaches back and has out- 
side hands joined with outside hands of Couple 2 
(Fig. 40). 




FIG. 41 



FIG. 43- 



FIGS. 40, 41, 42 AND 43. — DANCING ON THE GREEN 



DANCING ON THE GREEN 209 

I 

Take one schottische step forward diagonally 
right. I meas. 

One schottische step forward diagonally left. 

I meas. 

Partners of Couple i drop hands (keeping out- 
side hands joined with Couple 2) and take four step- 
hops circling out to the side and finishing in the 
rear. Joinihands again (Fig. 41). 2 meas. 

Couple 2 is now in the lead. 

Repeat the schottische steps forward. 2 meas. 

Repeat the four step-hops with Couple 2, circling 
to the rear. 2 meas. 



II 



In the original position take two schottische steps 
forward. 2 meas. 

On the four step-hops Couple 2 raises joined 
hands, forming an arch ( Fig. 42 ) . Couple i dances 
backward under the arch, while Couple 2 passes for- 
ward and untwists by turning toward each other 
under own arms. 2 meas. 

All four dancers must keep hands joined during 
this entire figure. Couple 2 is now in the lead and 
the figure is repeated, Couple i making the arch. 

4 meas. 



210 GROUP DANCES 

Ilia 

In original position take two schottische steps 
forward. 2 meas. 

On the four step-hops Couple i raises joined 
hands forming an arch, while Couple 2 dances for- 
ward under the arch, Couple i dances backward 
(Fig. 43O. 2 meas. 

During the step^hops partners keep hands joined, 
but release hands w^ith the opposite couple. 

Illb 

Couple 2 is now in the lead. All join hands and 
take two schottische steps forward. 2 meas. . 

During the four step-hops the following figure 
is danced: The leading couple (Couple 2) drops 
partner's hand, and each dancer holds inside hand 
up slightly curved over head; outside hand is* 
extended shoulder-high to side. 

The rear couple divides and steps to the outside 
of the forward couple (boy joining hands with boy, 
girl joining hands with girl) (Fig. 44). In this 
position take four step-hops, each couple circling 
outward and backward to original places. 2 meas. 

Finish with Couple 2 in the lead. Repeat IHa 
and nib with Couple 2 forming the forward arch. 
Couple I passing under to place. 8 meas. 

Diancers should now be in their original places, 
and dance is repeated from the beginning. 









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CmCLE BARN DANCE 211 

CIRCLE BARN DANCE 

Music : The music used for " The Barn Dance 
for Three " or " Dancing on the Green " may be 
used for this dance. 

The steps which are referred tOi in the dance are 
executed as follows : 

A. Schottische Step 

Slide forward with right foot (i). 
Bring left foot up to heel of right foot and raise 
right foot forward (2). 

Step forward on right foot (3). 
Hop on right foot and extend left foot forward (4). 

I meas. 
Repeat, starting with left foot. i meas. 

B. Skating Step 

Slide diagonally forward on right foot, raising left 
foot backward (i, 2). 

Repeat, sliding on left foot (3, 4), i meas. 

Repeat right and left. i meas. 

The movements should represent skating as 
nearly as possible. 

C. Step Hop 

Step on right foot (i). 

Hop on right foot and raise left foot forward (2). 
Repeat, stepping on left foot first (3, 4). i meas. 
Repeat all right and left. i meas. 



212 GROUP DANCES 

Dance 

Formation : The dancers form in a double circle, 
partners standing side by side with both hands joined 
as in skating. The circle moves around the room 
clockwise. Boy is on the outside of circle, girl on 
the inside. 

I. 

One schottische step diagonally right. i meas. 
Repeat left. i meas. 

Take four step-hops right, left, right, left. 

2 meas. 

li. 

Schottische step right and left. 2 meas. 

Four skating steps right, left, right, left. 

2 meas. 

III. 

Repeat I. 4 meas. 

Partners face each other. (This will make two 
circles, facing, boys on outside, girls on inside. ) 

Take one schottische step, each circle moving to 
the right. i meas. 

One schottische left. i meas. 

Partners join right hands and take two step- 
hops — right, left — circling halfway around partner. 

I meas. 

Boy gives left hand to girl diagonally behind 
him in the circle. 



CmCLE BARN DANCE 213 

Girl gives left hand to the boy who is in the 
couple in front of her. 

Take two step-hops — right, left — with new 
partner. i meas. 

Finish in original starting position with new part- 
ner and start dance from the beginning. Repeat as 
often as desired, with a new partner each time. 

Note: In changing partners girls always pro- 
gress clockwise, boys counter-clockwise. 



PART III 

SINGING GAMES AND DANCES 
ESPECIALLY ADAPTED TO CHILDREN 

By 
BLANCHE M. TRILLING 



216 



SINGING GAMES AND DANCES 



SWINGING IN THE SWING 

Adelaide M. Ott 



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FIG. 45. — SWINGING IN THE SWING 



SWINGING IN THE SWING 217 

This is an excellent game for very small children. 
Any number may take part. 

Formation: Children in groups of three, form- 
ing a circle around the room. Each group of three 
is arranged in the following way : No. i stands with 
back to circle; No. 2 faces No. i, and they join 
both hands together crossed as in skating. This is 
the " swing." No. 3 faces Nos. i and 2, and takes 
hold of their clasped hands. See Fig. 45. 

Child No. 3 pushes the swing forward and 
upward and at the same time balances forward on 
the right foot with the left foot raised behind. 

I meas. 

Pull the swing downward and balance backward 
with all the weight on the left foot. i meas. 

These movements should be continued rhythmi- 
cally until the end of the refrain. At the same time 
the following words should be sung by all of the 
children : 

Swinging in the swing, 

Swinging up so high, 
We can almost bump our heads 

Up against the sky. 

At the word " sky " the swing is pushed high 
and the child passes under and catches the next 
swing as it comes toward her. Game may be 
repeated as often as is desired. Care should be taken 
to shift the positions of the children so that each in 
turn may have the chance to do the swinging. 



218 SINGING GAMES AND DANCES 



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JOLLY IS THE MILLER 

( English ) 



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JOLLY IS THE MILLER 219 

Any number may take part. 

Formation : Double circle around the room, girls 
on the right of the boys. One child, the " miller," 
stands in the center of the circle. Circle moves clock- 
wise around the room. 

Jolly is the miller who lives by the mill, 
The wheel goes round with a right good will ; 
One hand in the hopper and the other in the sack 
The right steps forward and the left steps back. 

Game 
Children join inside hands with partners and walk 
quickly and joyously around the circle, swinging the 
arms, back and forth, and singing the words of the 
song. As the words in the last line are sung, the 
outer circle steps backward, the inner circle for- 
ward, and each child takes a new partner. As the 
change is made the child in the center tries to get a 
partner. The game is now repeated with the odd 
child in the center. If the " miller " is not success- 
ful the first time, he remains in the center until he 
secures a partner. 



220 



SINGING GAMES AND DANCES 



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DID YOU EVER SEE A LASSIE? 221 

This is a favorite game for very little children. 
In the beginning the play director may give sugges- 
tions as to the movements to be illustrated by the 
center child, but the children should be encouraged 
to devise their own movements. 

Formation: Children form a single circle with 
hands joined, one child standing in the center. 

The children in the circle move around clockwise 
singing the first two lines of the verse. On the 
words " Do this way and that '' the child in the 
center illustrates some movement which the others 
are to imitate. As the last two lines of the verse 
are sung the children in the outer circle stand still 
and imitate the movements of the leader, who con- 
tinues with them. 

Did you ever see a lassie, a lassie, a lassie (a laddie), 
Did you ever see a lassie do this way and that? 

Do this way and that way, and this way and that 
way, 
Did you ever see a lassie do this way and that. 

At the end of the verse the child in the center 
chooses a child from the circle to become the leader 
and the original leader joins the circle. 

Movements Suggested: Gymnastic movements 
of various kinds, a galloping horse, raking leaves, 
rocking a doll, throwing snowballs, picking fruit, 
climbing a ladder, etc. 

Note: All movements must be done rhythmi- 
cally with the music. 



222 SINGING GAMES AND DANCES 



DANCE OF GREETING 
( Danish ) 
A Allegretto. { J = 112. ) 



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DANCE OF GREETING £23 

This is an excellent dance for very small children. 

Formation : The dancers form a single circle, all 
facing the center. Partners are standing side by 
side. 

Music is divided into two parts, A and B. 

Coimt one and two and to a measure. 



All clap own hands together twice (one and). 
Take skirts with both hands, face partners and make 
a little courtesy (two and) (Fig. 46). i meas. 

Repeat the above, turning the back toward part- 
ner and courtesy to dancer on the other side. 

I meas. 

Face the center of the circle, place hands on hips 
and stamp right (one and), stamp left (two and). 

I meas. 

Take three little steps, right, left, right, turning 
completely around. i meas. 

Repeat all the above. 4 nieas. 

Music A. 

II 

All join hands forming a circle, and face so that 
circle will move clockwise around the room (Fig. 
47). Starting with the left foot take sixteen run- 
ning steps (four to a measure). 4 meas. 



224 SINGING GAMES AND DANCES 

Turn and take sixteen running steps in the oppo- 
site direction. 4 meas. 

Music B. 

These steps should be very light and high on the 
toes. 

Note : With little children it is helpful to have 
them repeat the following words in rhythm as they 
learn the movements of the first part of the dance. 

Clap, clap, bow, 
Clap, clap, bow. 
Stamp, stamp. 
And turn around. 




FIGS. 46 AND 47.— DANCE OF GREETING 



226 SINGING GAMES AND DANCES 



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GREETING AND MEETING 
(Swedish Singing Game) 

Arranged by M. L. Ayer 
Moderato , 






How-d'yo do, my part - ner 7 How-d'ye do to - day 7 



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This is a great favorite with little children. 

Formation: Double circle, partners facing each 
other, movements accompanying words as indicated 
below. 



" How d'y© do my partner? " 

Children of the outer circle make a courtesy to 

the children of the inner circle. 2 meas. 

" How d'ye do today? " 

Children of the inner circle make a courtesy to 

those of the outer. 2 meas. 

" Will you dance in the circle? " 

Join right hand with partner and shake four 

times. 2 meas. 



GREETING AND MEETING 227 

" I will show you the way." 
Join left hand with partner, crossing over right 
and shake four times. 2 meas. 

II 

With both hands joined with partner as in skat- 
ing, couples face in the line of direction and all 
skip clockwise around the circle, singing " Tra-la- 
la-la," etc. 8 meas. 

At the end of the dance the children of the outer 
circle all step backward and take the next child in 
the inner circle for a partner. Dance is repeated 
as often as is desired, with a change of partners 
each time. 

Note : The music is played a little faster for the 
skipping step. 



228 SINGING GAMES AND DANCES 



THE CIRCUS 
( Swedish ) 



Arranged by M. L. Ayer 



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THE CIRCUS 229 

This game is vigorous and full of life, and is 
much enjoyed by all children. It is also a very good 
game for boys, who, as a rule, do not care for sing- 
ing games. 

Formation : Double circle around the room, part- 
ners facing each other. The movements accompany 
the words in the following manner : 

Count one and two and to a measure. 

I 

" Young maid, young maid." 

All dancers make a little jump, placing the heel 
of the right foot forward, ball of the foot raised, and 
at the same time place the hand under the right 
elbow (one and) (see Fig. 48). Change, placing 
the left foot forward, and right hand under the 
elbow (two and). i meas. 

" Young maid, young maid, dear." 

Make three quick changes, right (one), left 
(and), right (two), and hold (and). i meas. 

" Go get your hat and parasol 
The circus, it is here." 

Repeat the movements described above, starting 
with the left foot forward. 2 meas. 



230 SINGING GAMES AND DANCES 

II 
" Ten for the big ones 
Five for the small." 

Partners join both hands, extend arms sideways, 
shoulder high, take four sHdes clockwise around 
circle. Four slides back to places. 2 meas. 

Ill 
" Hurry up, hurry up 
Or you cannot go at all." 

Link right arm with partner, left arm raised (see 
Fig. 49). 

Turn rapidly in place with quick, short steps, 
taking as many steps as can be crowded in. 2 meas. 

At the end of the step finish with both circles 
facing the center. 

IV 
" Hop, hop, hop, the day it is so clear 
For Anderson, and Peterson and Limdstrom, my 
dear." 

The inner circle joins hands. Each dancer in 
the outer circle places hands on the shoulders of 
partner (see Fig. 50). 

This represents a merry-go-round. The children 
of the inner circle are the horses, those in the outer 
circle the riders. 




FIG. 48 



FIG. 49 



FIG. 50 



FIGS. 48, 49 AND 50. — THE CIRCUS 



THE CIRCUS 231 

In this formation slide i6 counts to the left. 

4 meas. 
Repeat words and slide i6 counts to the right. 

4 meas. 
Dance is now repeated, the horses and riders 
changing places. 



SINGING GAMES AND DANCES 



CARROUSEL (Merry-Go-Round) 
(Swedish Singing Game) 

Arranged by C. H. Mills 
A Moderato con moto ( J= 84) 



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An-der-Bon, and Pe-ter-son, and Carl - strom, and me I 



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Thls game is a great favorite both with children 
and adults. On account of its action, it is much 
enjoyed by small boys, for whom It is difficult to 
find many appropriate singing games. The dance 
represents a " merry-go-round," the inner circle 
;belng the horses, the outer circle the riders. 

Music is divided into two parts, A and B. 

Count one, two, three, four to a measure. 

Formation: A double circle, all dancers facing 
the center. The children of the outer circle place 
their hands on the shoulders of their partners of 
the inner circle (see Fig. 50 of "The Circus"). 



Little children sweet and gay. 

Carrousel is running, 
It will run till evening; 

Little ones a nickel, big ones a dime. 
Hurry up! get a mate! 
Or you'll surely be too late. 



234 SINGING GAMES AND DANCES 

Dancers move clockwise around the circle, taking 
two long, slow slides to a measure. The slide is 
made by sliding left with the left foot (one), and 
dosing the right foot to the left (two). This is 
continued through the fifth measure. 5 meas. 

In the last two measures dancers take two stamps 
to a measure, and have the stamps come exactly on 
the emphasized words. The music is accelerated in 
these two measures. 2 meas. 

Music A. 

II. 

Ha, ha, ha ! Happy are we, 

Anderson and Peterson and Carlstrom and me. 

Ha, ha, ha! Happy are we, 

Anderson and Peterson and Carlstrom and me. 

Continue sliding clockwise around the circle, but 
take four slides to a measure and music is much 
quicker. 4 meas. 

Repeat, changing the direction and sliding 
toward the right. 4 meas. 

Music B. 

At the end of the dance the horses and riders 
change places, and the dance is repeated from the 
beginning. 

Note: The music starts slowly, while the 
" merry-go-roimd " is winding and gradually 
becomes faster, until for the last four measures it 
is quite fast. 



286 



SINGING GAMES AND DANCES 



CAPTAIN JINKS 



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Formation: A single circle moving clockwise 
around the room, girls in front of boys. Any num- 
ber may take part. 

Music is in two parts, A and B. 

The dance accompanies the words of the song 
as indicated below. 



I'm Captain Jinks of the horse marines. 
I feed my horse on corn and beans. 

Dancers walk joyously and briskly clockwise 
aroimd the circle, letting the arms swing easily. 

4 meas. 

And swing the ladies in their teens. 
For that's the style in the army. 



238 SINGING GAMES AND DANCES 

Girls turn quickly and face their partners who 
are just behind them. Join both hands with part- 
ner, and turn partner once around, taking eight skip 
steps. At the word " army," partners should have 
completed turn and be standing side by side, inside 
hands joined, girl on boy's right. 4 meas. 

Music A. 

II 

I teach the ladies how to dance. 

How to dance, how to dance. 
I teach the ladies how to dance. 

For that's the style in the army. 

Partners standing side by side, girl on the right, 
inside hands joined, skip clockwise around circle, 
swinging arms easily and naturally. 8 meas. 

Music B. 

Ill 

Salute your partner, and turn to the right 

Partners stand still, face each other and make 
a courtesy. 

Each dancer then makes a quarter turn to the 
right on the words, " and turn to the right. '^ 2 meas. 

The outer circle will now be facing in the oppo- 
site direction (couniter-clockwise). 
And swing your neighbor with all your might 



CAPTAIN JINKS 239 

The boy joins both hands with the girl of the 
couple just behind him, and turns her once around 
with four skip steps. Girl swings boy of the couple 
just in front of her. On the word '' might " the 
turn should be completed and girls should be stand- 
ing on the right of new partner with inside hands 
joined. 2 meas. 

Then promenade all, the ladies right, 
For that's the style in the army. 

Girls are on boys' right with inside hands joined. 
All march clockwise around the circle, and on the 
word '' army " girls step forward in front of boys, 
forming a single circle as at the beginning of the 
dance. 4 meas. 

Music A repeated. 

Dance may be repeated as often as desired, with 
a new partner each time. 



240 



SINGING GAMES AND DANCES 



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OUR LITTLE GIRLS 

( Swedish Singing Game ) 

Arranged by C. H. Mills 
Allegro (1 = 108) >. 



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OUR LITTLE GIRLS 241 

Formation: Dancers form in a single circle, with 
hands joined, facing the center of the circle. Several 
dancers stand on the inside of the circle, the num- 
ber depending on the total number of dancers in each 
circle. 

The game accompanies the rhyme as indicated 
below. 



Our little girls (or boys), we know, 
When to dancing they go. 
Would like a boy to know 
With whom to dance just so. 

The dancers forming the circle, with hands 
joined, walk joyously around the circle, taking two 
steps to a measure, arms swinging easily. Circle 
moves clockwise. The extra dancers on the inside 
of the circle walk around in the opposite direction, 
in single file, arms swinging. These dancers should 
keep close to the outer circle and should not walk too 
close to each other. 8 meas. 

And if you will dance 

A few steps with me 
Just put your hand in mine, 

And sing so merrily. 



342 SINGING GAMES AND DANCES 

On the words, "And if you will dance," each 
dancer on the inside of the circle chooses a partner 
from the outer circle. The outer circle closes up 
the vacant spaces and continues walking around to 
the left. The inner couples walk counter-clockwise. 

8 meas. 

II 

Then boom-fa-ra-la, boom-fa-ra-la, boom-fa-ra-la-la 

The outer circle takes eight skip steps to the left. 
At the same time the couples in the center join both 
hands with partner and take eight skip steps turn- 
ing (see Fig. 51). 4 meas. 

Yes, boom-fa-ra-la, boom-fa-ra-la, boom-fa ra-la-la 
The outer circle turns and takes eight skip steps 
to the right. At the same time the center couples 
turn and swing in the opposite direction. 4 meas. 

And if you will dance 

A few steps with me 
Just put your hand in mine. 

And sing so merrily. 

All stop skipping and walk. The outer circle 
moving clockwise as in the beginning, the center 
couples walking in the opposite direction. 8 meas. 

At the end of the, dance those who were originally 
in the center join the outer circle. Those who were 
chosen remain in the center, and the game is repeated 
from the beginning. 




FIGS. 52 AND 53. — THE FIRST OF MAY 



244 SINGING GAMES AND DANCES 



THE FIRST OF MAY 
(Swedish Sinqinq Game) 

Arranged by C. H. Mills 
A Allegro (J = 120) 



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To - day's the glad May - Day. 



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THE FIRST OF MAY 245 

Any number may take part, but circles O'f not 
more than from six to ten are more easily directed, 
if partners are to change at the end of the dance; 

Music is divided into two parts, A and B. 

Count one and two and to a measure. 

Formation: Children form in double circle 
Partners stand side by side with inside hands joined, 
outside hands on hips, facing ready to move clock- 
wise around the circle. Boys are on the outside. 



Today's the first of May, 

Today's the first of May, May, May; 

Today's the glad May-day, 

Today's the glad May-day. 



Beginning with the inside foot, partners take 
four slides forward in the line of direction. With 
the first slide, arms are swung forward, upward, 
and partners turn back to back (Fig. 52). Dur- 
ing these four slides the inside foot is always in the 
lead, and partners remain back to back. 2 meas. 

Take four slides, commencing with the outside 
foot, swing arms downward, backward, and part- 
ners face each other. 2 meas. 



246 SINGING GAMES AND DANCES 

Repeat, taking eight slides, four with partners 
back to back, four with partners facing. 4 meas. 
Music A. 

II. 

Good-bye, dear friend, good-bye, 
I'll see you soon some day, some day, 
111 see you soon some day 
Before the glad May-day. 

Partners face each other, standing still. Joinj 
right hands and shake hands slowly three times 
while singing the first line of the above verse (Fig. 
53). The hand-shake comes on the emphasized 
word, " Good-bye, dear friend, good-bye." 

2 meas. 

Partners make a quarter turn to the right, clap 
own hands and stamp right foot vigorously, and skip 
around the circle, singing the last three lines of the 
verse. 6 meas. 

Music B. 

The inside circle moves forward in the way it 
was dancing in the beginning. The outside circle 
moves in the opposite direction (counter-clockwise). 

The stamp and the clap come on the first note of 
Measure 3> on the word " see." 

In returning to places, dancers pass their own 
partners and conamence the dance with the next 
person. 



THE FmST OF MAY 247 

The dance may be repeated as often as is desired, 
always with a new partner. 

Note: For little children, use the sliding-step 
described in Part I. For older children, the polka 
step which is described in Part I of the Swedish 
Clap Dance, page 193, may be used. 



248 



SINGING GAMES AND DANCES 



HICKORY DICKORY DOCK 



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HICKORY, DICKORY, DOCK 249 

This is a great favorite with Httle children. 

Formation : Children form a double circle around 
the room, facing each other. The dance should 
accompany the nursery rhyme as indicated below : 

I 

Hickory, Dickory, Dock, Tick-tock. 
With arms hanging rather stiffly in front of body 
to represent a pendulum, swing arms slowly left, 
right, left. On the words ** tick-tock " place hands 
on hips and take two light stamps in place, left, 
right. 2 meas. 

The mouse ran up the clock. 
Partners change places with quick, little, run- 
ning steps. 2 meas. 

The clock struck one. 

Partners clap right hands vigorously together. 

1 meas. 
The mouse ran down. 

Partners return to places. i meas. 

Hickory, Dickory, Dock, Tick-tock. 

Swing arms from left to right as described above. 

2 meas. 
II 

Partners join both hands and extend them to 
the side, shoulder high. Take three slides, going 
clockwise arounci' the circle, and two stamps in 
place. 53 meas. 



250 SINGING GAMES AND DANCES 

Three slides in opposite direction (counter-clock- 
wise) and two stamps. 2 meas. 

Join right hands with partner, start with the left 
foot, take three slow steps, left, right, left, changing 
places with partner. Turn, facing partner, place 
right foot befhind, take skirts with both hands and 
make courtesy to partner. 2 meas. 

Join left hands with partner, start with right 
foot, repeat the above, returning to place and cour- 
tesy to partner. 2 meas. 

Note: Djuring II the children sing softly the 
syllable " la." Music should be a little quicker for 
the slides and should retard again while children are 
changing places. Make a decided retard for the 
courtesy. 



252 



SINGING GAMES AND DANCES 



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RIBBON DANCE 
( English ) 

AUegro. (J = 100) 



Arranged by C. H. Mills 



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Formation: Two parallel lines facing, standing 
about six feet apart. As seen from the front the 
girls should be on the right side of the boys. Each 
couple holds a scarf between them, holding scarf 
in right hands. In place of scarf two large hand- 
kerchiefs knotted together may be used. Six or 
eight couples make a good number for a set. 
Couples should be numbered alternately i, 2, com- 
mencing at the head of the line. 

Music is divided into two parts, A and B. 

Count one, two to a measure. 



Couples I all face Couples 2. With four skip 
steps Couples i and 2 change places. All Couples 
2 pass under the kerchiefs of Couples i. 2 meas. 



^4 SINGING GAMES AND DANCES 

All turn, but do not let go kerchiefs, and return 
to places, Couples i passing under the kerchiefs this 
time. 2 meas. 

Repeat all above. 4 meas. 

Music A. 

II 

The girls drop the kerchiefs, the boys hold them 
high, using both hands. The head girl turns and 
skips outside of the girls' line, followed by all the 
other girls. The head boy leads down outside of the 
boys' line, followed by all the other boys. The end 
couple does not follow, but remains in place hold- 
ing the kerchiefs high for the others to pass imder. 

When partners meet at the end of the line, girls 
take hold of scarfs and all skip back to places under 
the arch of end couple. 

Music B and first four measures of Music B 
repeated. 

Ill 

Couples now hold kerchiefs high, forming arches. 
Head couple skips under arches to end of line. 

Last four measures of Music B. 

Dance is now started from the beginning. Repeat 
until all couples have returned to original places. 



BIBLIOGRAPHY 

DANCING 

A. Books Containing Music and Descriptions of 
Dances 

Berquist, Nils, " Swedish Folk Dances." A. S. 

Barnes & Co. 
BuLT, Mildred. " Old Devonshire Dances," Edition 

5640. J. Curwen & Sons. 
BuRCHENAL, ELIZABETH. (a) " Folk Daiices and 

Singing Games." G. Schirmer & Co. 

(b) " Dances of the People." G. Schirmer & Co. 

(c) " Dances of Finland." G. Schirmer & Co. 

(d) " Dances of Denmark." G. Schirmer & Co. 
Coles, Alice M. C. " Old English Country Dance 

Steps," Edition 5713. J. Curwen & Sons, London. 
" The Hornpipe," Edition 1365. J. Curwen & Sons. 

Crampton, C. Ward. *' The Folk Dance Book." 
A. S. Barnes & Co. 
" The Second Folk Dance Book." A. S. Barnes & Co. 

Davison, William J. " Gymnastic Dancing for 
Men." Y.M.C.A. Press. 

Gilbert, M. Ballou. " School Dances." G. Schir- 
mer & Co. 

Graham, John. " Lancashire and Cheshire Dances." 
J. Curwen & Sons. 
** Shakesperean Bidford Morris Dances." J. Cur- 
wen & Sons. 

Hinman, Mary Wood. (a) " Couple Dances." 
Hinman School of Dancing. 

(b) " Ring Dances." Hinman School of Dancing. 

(c) " Group Dances." Hinman School of Dancing. 
Hofer, Mari R. (a) " Popular Folk Games and 

Dances." A. Flanagan & Co. 
(b) **Poirteand Social Dances." Clayton F.Summy Co. 

255 



256 BIBLIOGRAPHY 

Hughes^ E. " Maypole Exercises," Edition 5675. 

J. Curwen & Sons. 
KiMMiNS, G. T., "Guild of Play Books"; Parts I 

and II, Festival and Dance; Part III, For Little 

Children; Part IV, National Dances. J. Curwen 

& Sons. 
Lincoln, Jennette E. C. " The Festival Book." 

A. S. Barnes Co. 
Neal, Mary. " The Esperance Morris Book," Parts 

I, II. J. Curwen & Sons. 
Sharp, Cecil J. (a) '' The Counitry Dance Book," 

4 Volumes. Contains descriptions of dances 

only. H. W. Gray & Co. 

(b) " Country Dance Tunes." 8 Parts. Contains 
the music for dances described in " The Country 
Dance Book." H. W. Gray & Co. 

(c) " The Morris Book," 2nd Edition. Contains 
descriptions of dances only. H. W. Gray & Co. 

(d) ** Morris Dance Tunes." 10 Parts. Contains 
music for dances described in " The Morris Book." 
H. W. Gray & Co. 

(e) " The Sword Dance Book of Northern Eng- 
land." 2 Volumes. Contains descriptions of 
dances only. H. W. Gray & Co. 

(f ) " Sword Dances of Northern England, Songs 
and Airs." 3 Parts. Contains music for dances 
described in *' The Sword Dance Book of North- 
ern England." H. W. Gray & Co. 

Sperling, Harry. "The Playground Book." A. S. 
Barnes Co. 

B. Books on the History and Philosophy of the Dance 

Caffin, Caroline and Charles. "Dancing and 
Dancers of Today." Dodd, Mead & Co. 



BIBLIOGRAPHY 257 

DoDWORTH, Allen. " Dancing and Its Relations to 
Education and Social Life." Harper & Bros. 

Ellis, Havelock. " The Philosophy of Dancing." 
The Atlantic Monthly, February, 1914. 

Emmanuel, Maurice. " The Antique Greek Dance." 
John Lane Co. 

Etscher^ Gaspard. " Renaissance of the Dance." 
The Forum, September, 191 1. 

Flitch, J. Crawford. " Modern Dancing and Dan- 
cers." J. B. Lippincott Company. 

Grove, Lilly. " Dancing." Longmans, Green & Co. 

GuLicK, Luther H. " The Healthful Art of Danc- 
ing." Doubleday, Page & Co. 

Hall, G. Stanley. " Educational Problems." Vol- 
ume I, Chapter ii, Educational Value of Dancing 
and Pantomime. 

Jacques-Dalcroze, Emile. " Eurhythmies." Small, 
Maynard & Co. 

Johnson, A. " The Russian Ballet." 

Kinney, Troy and Margaret West. " The Dance." 
Frederick A. Stokes & Co. 

Narodny, Ivan. " The Dance." National Society of 
Music. 

O'Sheel, Shaemas. *' On With the Dance." Forum, 
February, 191 1. 

Terry, Ellen. " The Russian Ballet." Sidgwick and 
Jackson. 

Singing Games 

Bolin, Jakob. " Swedish Song Plays." 
Bremner, Kate, (a) " A Book of Song Games and 
Ball Games." George Philip & Son. 
(b) " More Song Games." George Philip & Son. 



258 BIBLIOGRAPHY 

Brown and Boyd. " Old English and American 

Games." Saul Bros. 
Crawford^ Caroline. " Dramatic Games and Dances 

for Little Children." A. S. Barnes Co. 
GiLLiNGTON, Alice, (a) " Old Hampshire Singing 

Games." J. Curwen & Sons. 

(b) " Old Isle of Wight Singing Games." J. Cur- 
wen & Sons. 

(c) " Old Surrey Singing Games and Breton Sing- 
ing Games." J. Curwen & Sons. 

GoMME^ Alice B. " Traditional Games of England, 
Scotland and Ireland." 2 Volumes. David Nutt. 

HoFER, Marie R. (a) " Children's Old and New Sing- 
ing Games." A Flanagan & Co. 
(b) " Old Tunes, New Rimes, and Games." A. 
Flanagan & Co. 

Kastman AND KoEHLER, " Swcdish Song Games." 
Ginn & Co. 

Kirk, Florence, (a) " Old English Games and 
Physical Exercises." Longmans, Green & Co. 
(b) " Rhythmic Games and Dances for Children." 
Longmans, Green & Co. 

KiDSON AND Moffat. "Eighty Singing Games." 
Bagley & Ferguson. 

Newell, Wm. " Games and Songs for American 
Children." Harper Bros. 

Pedersen and Boyd, (a) " Folk Games of Denmark 
and Sweden." Saul Bros, 
(b) *' Folk Games and Gymnastic Play." Saul Bros. 

Sharp and Gomme. " Children's Singing Games." 
6 Sets. H. W.Gray & Co. 

Van Cleve, Cecilia " Folk Dances for Young Peo- 
ple." Milton Bradley Co. 



INDEX 



Acquaintance Cards, 19 
Acrostic Sale, 76 
Advancing Statues, 44 
Alphabetical Mixer, 24 
Analogies, 70 
Animal Cartoons, 114 
Animal Voices and Bird 

Songs, 99 
Artistic Efforts, 113 

Bam Dance for Three, 200 
Barnyard, 80 
Bean Penalties, 31 
Bean Porridge, 196 
Beater Goes Round, 59 
Bibliography, Dancing, 255 
Biographic Cartoons, 102 
Birth Months, 17 
Blind Man's Biff, 123 
Book Reviews, 115 

Captain Jinks, 236 
Carpenters and Seamstresses, 

102 
Carrousel, 232 
Cat and Mouse, 63 
Christmas Shopping, 93 
Church Mixer, 27 
Circle Barn Dance, 152 
Circle Dance, 152 
Circus, The, 228 
Co-ed Tag, 55 



Compass Game, 40 
Concerted Sneeze, 26 
Confusing Coins, 129 
Country Dance, 184 
Country School, 37 
Cracker Eating Relay, 83 
Crossed Fingers, 125 
Cschbogar, 188 

Dance Bibliography, 255 
Dances : 

Barn Dance for Three, 200 

Bean Porridge, 196 

Circle Barn Dance, 211 

Circle Dance, 152 

Country Dance, 184 

Cschbogar, 188 

Dance of Greeting, 222 

Dancing on the Green, 206 

French Reel, 146 

How Do You Do? 168 

Pop Goes the Weasel, 160 

Portland Fancy, 140 

Ribbon Dance, 252 

Ring Dance, 164 

Swedish Clap Dance, 192 

Vineyard Dance, 156 

Virginia Reel, 176 

We Won't Go Home 'Til 
Morning, 172 
Dancing on the Green, 206 
Descriptive Adjectives, 67 
259 



260 



INDEX 



Did You Ever See a Lassie? 

220 

Divesting a Friend, 130 
Division of Company into 

Groups, 17 
Dizzy Circle, 123 
Dog Fight, 127 
Donkey Solo, 80 
Double and Triple Tag, 50 

Electric Shock, 108 
Exchange, 71 

First of May, The, 244 
Fly Away, 36 
Follow the Leader, 33 
Freight Train Tag, 57 
French Reel, 146 
Fruit Basket, 95 

Geography Game, 68 

Ghosts, 84 

Going to Jerusalem, z^ 

Good Morning, 61 

Gossip, 74 

Greeting and Meeting, 226 

Guessing Baby Pictures, 91 

Handkerchief Tag, 64 
Hand Organ, 106 
Hickory Dickory Dock, 248 
Hid in Sight, 91 
Historical Characters, 46 
Horse and Rider Tag, 61 
House Party Games, 66 
How Do you Do? 168 
Hunt the Ring, 108 



Illustrated Songs, 120 
Impromptu Performances, 92 
Introduction to Part I, 13 
Introduction to Parts II and 

HI, 135 

I Went to Paris, 78 

Jack's Alive, 85 
Jerusalem and Jericho, 35 
John Brown's Baby, 127 
Jolly is the Miller, 218 
Jug Balancing, 122 
Jumbled Words, 39 

Knocking Coin, 124 

Last Couple Out, 58 
Laughing Game, 41 
Leadership, 16 

Left Hand Shaking Mixer, 45 
Leg and Arm Movements, 125 
Line Tag, 60 

Magic Music, 126 
Matching Poetry, 31 
Menagerie, 43 
Millinery Creations, loi 
Millionaire Friends, 21 
Mixing March, 22 
Musical Mixer, 30 
Mysterious Couple, 20 

Nose and Ear, 125 
Nose and Toe Tag, 56 

One Eye, 74 

Our Little Girls, 240 



INDEX 



d61 



Pertinent Questions and Im- 
pertinent Answers, lOO 
Poetic Answers, ii6 
Polite Conversation, 96 
Pop Goes the Weasel, 160 
Portland Fancy, 140 
Prisoner's Tag, 64 
Prizes, 20 
Progression, 42 
Progressive Drawing, 40 
Progressive Poetry, 40 

Rabbit's Nest, 52 
Rapid Transit, 105 
Reporter's Game, 98 
Rhyming Verbs, 106 
Ribbon Dance, 252 
Ring Dance, 164 

Sardines, 86 

Say, Have You Heard the 

Story of Harry, 128 
Scouting for Words, 87 
Self Introduction, 33 
Sentence Game, 38 
Shadow Tag, 50 
Shifting Seats, 96 
Shouting Proverbs, 73 
Siamese Yell, 129 
Significant Initials, 120 
Silver Spoon Identification, 90 
Singing Games : 

Captain Jinks, 235 

Carrousel, 232 

Circus, The, 228 

Did You Ever See a Lassie? 
220 



Singing Games: 
First of May, 244 
Greeting and Meeting, 226 
Hickory Dickory Dock, 248 
Jolly Is the Miller, 218 
Our Little Girls, 240 
Swinging in the Swing, 216 

Slipper Slap, 109 

Snatch the Handkerchief, 64 

Soap Bubbles, no 

Social Values of Play, 15 

Solemn and Jolly, 32 

Sore Spot Tag, 58 

Suggested Activities, 81 

Swedish Clap Dance, 192 

Swinging in the Swing, 216 

Tableaux and Poses, 23 
Tag Games, Active, 49 
Telegrams, 112 
Three Deep, 54 
Trades, 103 
Train o' Thought, 118 
Twirl the Platter, 72 

Up, Jenkins, 107 

Vineyard Dance, 156 
Virginia Reel, 176 

Water, Earth, Fire, Air, 69 
We Won't Go Home 'Til 

Morning, 172 
White Folks and Indians, 51 
Who Is My Neighbor? 83 
Wink, 75 



Mt. Pleasant Branch 



li. 117 

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